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A big engineering feat was achieved in the town of Fort Erie today. With the help of 8 hydraulic jacks the new Central Avenue bridge was carefully pushed into position. The slide, better known as the rapid bridge replacement technique started at 7 this morning and drew small crowds throughout the day. It is the first time a bridge in the Niagara area has been installed like this.  The process cost an additional one million dollars bringing the replacement project price tag to just over $15 million, but it meant less havoc on one of Fort Erie’s major roadways.

To minimize traffic chaos the 115 metre long structure was built beside the existing bridge before being demolished last week. When complete the bridge will feature two lanes for traffic, two bike lanes as well as sidewalks for pedestrians. The bridge is expected to be open to one way traffic within two weeks.