The Toronto Construction Association (TCA) has honoured Cadillac Fairview’s (CF) landmark CF Toronto Eaton Centre Bridge project with its Best of the Best Project Achievement Award (medium size) for 2017.
“TCA’s project achievement awards pay tribute annually to member companies who raise the bar in terms of professional excellence,” says John Mollenhauer, TCA president & CEO. “What sets these projects apart is unique teamwork, dedication, innovation, professionalism and leadership that together, culminate in an extraordinary project achievement.”
To better integrate CF Toronto Eaton Centre with Hudson’s Bay and Saks Fifth Avenue’s flagship locations in downtown Toronto, CF decided to replace the existing pedestrian bridge with an exciting new connection between the two major retail landmarks above Queen Street, one of the city’s busiest streets. Featuring enhanced aesthetics and functionality, the bridge’s development involved a multi-phased process that required assembly adjacent to the shopping centre on James Street before being seamlessly lifted into place. The structure, which features glass and etched bronze cladding panels, provides distinct interior and exterior vantage points for users looking outward or pedestrians looking above from street level.
Walters supplied the main structural box girder supporting the AESS ribs and façade for Cadillac Fairview’s new Pedestrian Bridge. The specialty of this project was the complex design and the sophisticated installation at Toronto’s biggest shopping mall. Our scope included modelling, detailing, fabricating and installing the vertical and torsional cambered box girder, which forms the primary structural component of the bridge.
Walters was also responsible for ensuring safe shipment to site and secured the numerous permits required to approve such a massive shipment between two cities and using major highway routes. The 95 tonne assembly left our Stoney Creek, Ontario plant and arrived on site a mere three hours later in downtown Toronto. Due to the size, the shipment was accompanied by private escort vehicles and police vehicles were also placed at the front and the rear of the shipment for additional assistance.
“We at Walters are proud to be part of such an iconic project in downtown Toronto. When we were invited to play our part in providing the main structural element connecting the Hudson Bay to the Eaton Centre, we could not pass on the opportunity,” shared Sam Barrett, Preconstruction Manager at Walters. “The box girder that cambers and twists over Queen Street is completely hidden from view by the beautiful AESS rings and glasswork, but we know what lies beneath. The team of detailers, engineers and fabricators can all be very proud of what they created. It was a pleasure to watch the 120’ assembly come together in the shop and ship in one piece to site. Thanks again to all involved!”
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the development, design and the construction of Toronto’s newest architectural icon – the CF Toronto Eaton Centre Bridge.
Video footage is courtesy of Sight on Site Inc. (www.sightonsite.ca) © Copyrighted 2017
