Author(s): J. A. Feltham; T. G. Brown; K. R. Croasdale
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Abstract: When constructed, the Prince Edward Island Bridge across Nonhurnberland Strait will be the longest bridge in the world crossing a body of water which is ice covered for a considerable part of each year. The bridge will be approximately 13 kilometres long, connecting the island province of Prince Edward Island to the Canadian mainland. Nonhurnberland Strait is ice covered from early January until, normally, the third week in April, although the date of last ice can vary over a total range of 60 days. Ice has played a significant role in the assessment of the bridge to the present stage at which the bridge is now under construction. The ice issues can be divided into two general categories: the influence of the ice on the bridge structure, and the influence of the bridge structure on the ice. The former results in the ice forces which are applied to the bridge piers and their caisson bases. The latter issues correspond to the influences that the bridge may have on the ice regime within the Strait and the environmental impacts of that influence. The potential impacts of the bridge on the ice regime received considerable attention and analysis during the initial phases of the project because of the importance of the fishery in Northumberland Strait. The Strait is an important lobster fishing area and also supports significant populations of other marine species. This paper reviews these ice issues and how they were addressed during the design and approvals processes.
Year: 1994