Oil patch bits: EXP wins a 2025 ACEC-NB Engineering Excellence Award

Petroleum News

As reported by EXP News May 29, EXP has been awarded an ACEC-New Brunswick 2025 Engineering Excellence Award for rehabilitation work on the Florenceville Bridge. The Engineering Excellence Awards celebrate and promote the provision of exemplary consulting engineering services locally, nationally and internationally.

The Florenceville Bridge, constructed in 1966, spans 610 meters, and serves as a vital connection between the Town of Florenceville-Bristol and the Trans-Canada Highway, with an annual traffic volume of approximately 5,700 vehicles daily.

In 2015, modern condition assessment techniques revealed major structural deficiencies, prompting the development of a multi-year rehabilitation plan to extend the bridge's lifespan. The rehabilitation scope included replacing pot bearings, removal and replacement of multiple approach spans, major rehabilitation of the 6-span approach structure, strengthening of existing superstructure components and reconfiguring the deck top for traffic barrier upgrades.

Given the unique challenges of rehabilitating a post-tensioned box girder bridge, traditional methods were not feasible. EXP developed a customized approach using surface-mounted carbon fiber rods for external reinforcement and a custom steel truss support system for deteriorated sections of the main span deck. EXP also conducted all investigations, designed the rehabilitation plan and supported construction phases from 2017 to the expected completion in 2025.

The completed bridge will enhance the resilience of the regional transportation system and ensure the Florenceville Bridge will remain open for the next 30 years.

Members of EXP's project team, Brian Dorcas, Mitchell MacFarlane, Adam Geneau, Martina Verboom and Alyson Dean, attended the ACEC-NB Engineering Excellence Awards dinner and gala to accept the prestigious award.