Dufferin Construction Replaces Entire Overpass in Only 51 Hours

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Innovative use of Rapid Bridge Replacement Technology used to replace the Aberdeen Avenue Overpass over Highway 403

HAMILTON, ON, Aug. 3 /CNW/ - Dufferin Construction Company, a division of Holcim (Canada) Inc. successfully executed the complete replacement of the Aberdeen Avenue Bridge over Highway 403 in just fifty one (51) hours on the civic holiday weekend with the use of Rapid Bridge Replacement Technology. The operation was underway just after 9:00 pm on Friday July 30, 2010 and the new; completely replaced overpass was ready for traffic just after midnight on Monday August 02, 2010 much to the satisfaction of the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario and Dufferin Construction. The operation was ahead of the scheduled eighty (80) hour duration permitted for the work.

Rapid Bridge Replacement Technology is a construction technique in which the new bridge sections are built in an adjacent staging area while the existing bridge sections remain intact and carrying public traffic until the new sections have been fully prepped to be moved into place. Once ready, the old sections are removed and recycled and the new sections are transported into place with the use of Heavy Lift Transporting Equipment. This is the first time that this technology has been introduced in Southern Ontario.

"The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario has taken a leadership role in adopting this technology for use in civil construction," said Wayne Lazzarato, Vice President, Dufferin Construction Company. He further added, "conventional construction methods would take longer and are not as environmentally sustainable".

Although new to Southern Ontario this technology is not new to Dufferin Construction as Dufferin Construction and the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario made Canadian history in 2007 being the first to utilize this technology in Canada when the Highway 417 overpass over Island Park Drive in Ottawa was replaced in the summer of 2007. Dufferin Construction and the Ministry of Transportation would then repeat that same history a second time in 2008 on the same Highway 417 over Clyde Avenue, also in Ottawa; making this only the third time in Canada that this technology has been utilized successfully and the third time that Dufferin Construction has been contracted to complete the work.

About Dufferin Construction

Founded in 1912, Dufferin Construction Company (DCC), a division of Holcim (Canada) Inc. has built a solid reputation for market excellence, drawing on a rich history and a strong heritage of quality, stability and innovative leadership in the marketplace. Today, DCC is one of the largest heavy civil engineering contractors in the industry.

About Holcim (Canada) Inc.

Employing approximately 3,500 Canadians and generating annual revenues over $1.3 billion, Holcim (Canada) Inc. is a leading producer and supplier of products and services for the construction industry, serving customers across Canada. Holcim (Canada) Inc. is a member of the Holcim Group. With majority and minority interests in more than 70 countries on all continents, the Holcim Group is one of the world's leading suppliers of cement and aggregates as well as further construction activities such as ready-mix concrete and construction services.

For further information: Junaina Saulat, Manager, External Communications, Tel: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]