Precast Concrete Box Structure Selected
as the Material of Choice

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An existing, 32-year-old, 3.0 m diameter Corrugated Steel Pipe (CSP) culvert was coming to the end of its service life. The CSP was situated on a two-lane highway in Lambton County, just south of Sarnia, Ontario, located at the intersection of Maundaumin Road and Courtright Line.

This CSP, like all culvert/bridge structures, was routinely inspected. Although it had only a 32-year service life, the CSP was showing some signs of deterioration and was added to the list of structures that required replacement.

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Black Creek Engineering was selected to provide the design for this structure replacement. Precast concrete box structure was the structure that was selected as a replacement. A key consideration of the selection process was to ensure a service life of over 75 years. Black Creek Engineering reached out to a few local precast producers for budgetary numbers as well as design recommendations for this precast concrete structure. One of those local precast producers was Coldstream Concrete, which is located in Ilderton, Ontario.

The project was tendered in August 2021 and JLH Excavation was awarded the project. Coldstream Concrete was awarded the design, manufacturing, and supply of the structure. Coldstream provided the engineering design, with support from, MTE Consultants, for the structure. The size of the structure was 3.0 m span by 2.7 m rise with a run length of 24.0 m. Eleven (11) pieces were produced to make up the run length.

Although it was put out for tender in August 2021, a recent drop in the water level in 2022, revealed a structure that required immediate replacement. A complete section loss of this CSP can be seen just below the water level (in picture #1). Replacement of this structure became an emergency.

As with most projects, Coldstream worked with the GC to provide the required logistical support to ensure rapid installation. JHL Excavation completed the installation of all 11 pieces in four (4) hours.

Unfortunately, due to the premature deterioration of this CSP, the road needed to be closed for two weeks. Having lower than expected service life of infrastructure does create a significant impact on the carbon footprint in terms of the replacement of the structure but also the congestion created the reduced or closure of roadways. Fortunately, the CSP did not completely fail, no one was injured, and it was replaced by a precast concrete box structure that will provide a very long service life for this roadway.

Dylan Gravisi
Senior Project Manager/Estimator
Coldstream Concrete
Precast Producer: Coldstream Concrete