Gordie Howe Bridge - Alignment

[@paull.drownjr.5477]

Bob-Your videos are truly amazing. I was able to watch the Construct of the Arthur Ravenel cable stayed sonstruction on the internet, because a Doctor from Medical University in Charleston South Carolina,.would go to the brige and uploed amazing photos of the construction. I enjoyed watching the bridge during the 4 years it took to complete the bridge and I have driven over this bridge many times. You provide a valuable resorce for all of us who want to see progress being made. Thank you for your great videos and fpr the time you invest in your service for all of us to enjoy!!!

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Hi Paul. A post lke this puts the effort back into context. Capturing the video and editing ths movies is a time consuming committment. Not complaining, but it has taken a bite out of my income. That said these videos are, in my mind, historical moments generations will be able to look back on, as we do the Ambassador Bridge or the Windsor/Detriot Tunnel. Thank you so much for the kind and motovating words.

[@sidclemmer4591]

Hi Bob, I would like to see a little bit of video of them sliding the tubes to close off the cables, hopefully you can get a bit of that process

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Hi sidcelmmer4591. That would be cool. Something else to watch for. Thanks for the heads up on this!

[@louoldschool7047]

thanks Bob, can't wait to see it

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Got some good video today. Posted a few pictures. Video coming soon

[@johnlahr5828]

U wish there was a video out there that actually shows how they brought the two sides to the same level. That was quite the difference to make up.

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Hi John. Sorry, I couldn't tell you. Maybe one of our subscribers could answer that question.

[@johncraig9869]

Hope the bolts & other hardware is stronger than what was used on the Nipigon river bridge

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Hi John. I did a quick search as I didn't hear about this before. Not a glowing testament to cable stay briges in first glance. The deck heaved 30 centimeters (almost 12 inches) sepatating a section from one side of the deck (from what I ciould see.) Scarey, but I would imagine they have learned and improved whatever caused the failure. Thank you for the informative post!

[@DroneCowboy.Gaspésie]

Thanks for sharing this moment with us my good Friend 👌 Amazing Flight Amazing View and Great Music Cheers 🍻🍻🍻🤘🤘👍👍👍😎Ho what is your drone model DJI !

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Thanks DroneCowboy! Mavic 3.

[@rporobotjack3683]

At this moment it must feel rewarding for all those Ironworkers and Engineers involved in the construction of the Gordie Howe Bridge. Good work by all involved and still a lot more to complete. It's been a pleasure to watch as the job progresses. Thanks Bob .

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Your welcome. It is something to watch.

[@dbockman52]

Bob- My next question is how do they adjust the tension for each individual cable inside the cable bundle in each cable stay? Do they have a threaded (or some other) mechanism to adjust all of the cables in each stay at the same time to keep equal tension? If not, how do they do that to keep equal tension for all of the cables? Also, do the cables need periodic adjustment over time? I enjoy watching your videos. The engineering involved with the construction of the Gordie Howe bridge is very interesting.

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Lol. Dbockman52, I wish I had that knowledge. I'm a Realtor with a drone :) It is however very interesting and I may look into the mechanics of the cable stay. Glad to have you here!

[@dbockman52]

@@bobjonesrealtor7756 Bob- In 2015, I purchased a DJI Inspire 1 drone to fly over my northwest Iowa (USA) farms for various crop scouting reasons. That drone was rather expensive at that time, and it had a sophisticated flight control system. I enjoyed flying it, but after several years I grew somewhat tired of doing that. I learned a lot about the settings for that drone. For instance, I slowed down the maximum camera movements, so it didn't make any sudden moves. The videos were much smoother and easier to watch, especially when zooming in. I also liked using the "follow me" and "point of interest" settings. In the mid 1990's, I designed, built, and patented a farm drainage tile plow to install subsurface perforated plastic drainage tile. My drainage tile plow concept is shown in video links on my KZbin channel- (US patent # 5,975,804) kzbin.info I used my drone to take aerial pictures and videos of my farms at a certain time after a large rain event when existing old drainage tile lines caused the topsoil to dry out first over the tile lines. That enabled me later to easily find those old drainage tile lines, so that I could add more tile lines without damaging existing tile lines. I imagine that you find a lot of uses for your drone in your realty profession. Thanks for the videos of the Gordie Howe bridge construction. I watch each of them several times. They are fascinating. D.B.

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Thanks DB for the detailed comment. Drones have come so far in the past decade alone it's amazing.

[@Geartooth90]

Flying today? They connected the side parts this morning!

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Hi Geartooth90. Yes I did. Just back in the home office. The side giorders were there when I got out there but I did get them installing beams and girders! Thanks for the heads up, buddy! I'll post pictures until I can edit the video footage. Thanks again!🌉😎👍

[@Geartooth90]

@@bobjonesrealtor7756 No problem, can't wait to see the pics and video!

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Pictures up and video coming. :)

[@ms-tw4sj]

How do they align the 2 ends? Force fit? Tweak the tension on the cables?

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

The temporary beams we see keep it in place while they biuld the mid-span section, . . . almost done now.

[@ms-tw4sj]

@@bobjonesrealtor7756 It was my understanding that the Canadian side was higher than the American side by about a foot. They would have had to raise one side or lower the other side, otherwise there would have been a step in the bridge. How did they get them to be at the same level? Simply putting a bar across doesn't accomplish that.

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

I don't know the mechanics of it, but I believe they make adjustments in the cable stays to balance everything, like alignment. The beams ensure it stays in place while they work on the installation.

[@ms-tw4sj]

@@bobjonesrealtor7756 You're probably right. My guess is that they made a small adjustment at the extreme end and worked their way towards the tower making smaller and smaller adjustments. They then repeated this until alignment. What's fascinating is that the tension of those cables at the end of this process must be a predetermined calculated amount to spread the load evenly. Rhetorical questions: How do they make the adjustments? How do they measure the tension?

[@johnbrossack3791]

Great videos of the progress. It's going to be interesting to see how well the connecting beams line up with the two spans. I certainly hope that there's not a lot of drama lining up the two spans. I lived in Port Huron from '76 to '79, and grew up in the Buffalo, NY area. Seeing these advancements on the great lakes area is great to see the progress in the area. Thanks again for your videos. Looking forward to seeing not only the span connection, but the work that takes the project to final completion. Well done.

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Hi John. Thanks for the compliment. There's a lot to do after the connection for sure.

[@dbockman52]

Bob- My views about the bridge costs- The United States and Canada could have equally split the construction costs of the bridge and then also split the future toll revenue. Both countries will benefit greatly from the bridge in many ways. Canada should be very proud of the bridge. Maybe Canada wanted to solely own the bridge. I just don't know about that. (I am a USA citizen from the Midwest, so I don't live near the new bridge. But, I do think it is a wonderful project.)

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

No problem, we wil recoup the money six or ten bucks at a time. Should be back in the black for my Great, great, great grandchildren. I can hardly wait. Lol. Only joking, well a little bit. It is very cool to see coming together. Thanks for the comment.

[@theroadnottaken9378]

With history being made right before our eyes I'm sure the iron workers are savoring every last moment until the final closure section is installed, great footage Bob, looking forward to this historic event.

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Hi. Hope all is well. Watching it happen is very cool. I'm going out every couple of days now until the last section is installed.

[@thomaskirk9546]

It’s spelled alignment

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Thanks. I do that a lot. Maybe cause I'm lefthanded. :) . . . .no it's because of covid.

[@dbockman52]

Bob- Can you explain how the bridge's framework will deal with temperature expansion and contraction? Does the bridge's deck "float" at each cable stay tower? Or is it fastened solid to each tower and there are sliding joints somewhere between towers?

[@joeminella5315]

i have the same question!

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Hi dbockman52. This is what I found. Thanks for the question, this answers a lot ; The Gordie Howe International Bridge incorporates several design features to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the steel superstructure: The main span deck is not rigidly connected to the towers. Instead, it "floats" at each cable stay tower, allowing free longitudinal movement to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction. The deck is supported by cable stays that can accommodate rotations at the deck anchorages. Significant rotations are allowed - up to 25 milliradians under serviceability limit states and 10 milliradians for fatigue design. There are expansion joints between the main span and side spans to allow independent longitudinal movement. The last closure segment of the main span deck will be custom-cut on site to fit the exact gap remaining after thermal effects, ensuring a precise fit. The stay cables themselves are designed with rotational offsets at the deck anchorages to accommodate deck movements. So in summary, the bridge deck is not rigidly fastened to the towers. It can freely expand and contract longitudinally by "floating" on the cable stays which can rotate at their anchorages. Expansion joints separate the main span from the side spans to allow independent movements.

[@dbockman52]

@@bobjonesrealtor7756 Thank you.

[@mjones8204]

Love the close ups And the depth of field is cool in focus with the guys on the bridge and the factory on the Detroit side. Great job Bob! Be a riot if that guy in the yellow gondola cast a fishing line out to the river. 😆

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Hi Mike. Thanks. Lol. It'd be even funnier to see him reel in a fish! Better have a long handle on their net.

[@robertalanfine]

What are the rubber balls hanging from the scaffolding there for? Anyone know?

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

I wonder if it has something to do with wind?

[@robertalanfine]

That's what I thought. But maybe they attached in case the whole thing collapses - you know - so it won't sink to the bottom.😀

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Don't know if they would support the structure, Robert.

[@robertalanfine]

@@bobjonesrealtor7756 So they add a balloon or two 😀

[@fumblerooskie]

It's only international cooperation insofar as the U.S. cooperated in letting Canada pay for nearly everything on both sides. Even still, it took the U.S. many years to finally approve it. Glad to see it's nearly done! This type of cable-stayed bridge is very popular around the world, with very similar bridges in Portugal, China, Russia, South Korea, Japan, France, Scotland, the U.S., Greece, Spain, and others.

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Hi fumblerooskie. That pretty much sums it up. Our government has no idea on how to negotiate. Throw more money at it, the budget will balance itself Trudeau says. The bridge is a great project however, and much needed. Our 15 billion dollar grants and substities for a battery plant, in my personal opinion, is wasted tax dollars. Thanks for the great post.

[@theroadnottaken9378]

@@bobjonesrealtor7756 , you're right Bob, that battery plant is a total waste, also trudeau is responsible for a 1 year delay on the bridge project when the libs took over from the cons. and replacing all mangement team.

[@mjones8204]

Seriously? Canada paid most of it? Great negotiations by the Liberals, so embarrassing

[@nikolatesla5553]

​@@bobjonesrealtor7756Canada will make back their investment and then some. And BTW, the word is subsidies.

[@bindardondat5292]

Same thing in Nova Scotia regarding 'the Cat'. Nova Scotia paid to have the Bar Harbor, Maine, dock built, so that a catamaran ship could run between Bar Harbor, Maine & Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. The ferry has never maid money & can only be used during the summer months. The opening was delayed because someone nobody got prior approval from the American Border Agency. Canadian politicians are some of the dumbest, tax wasting morons in the world. Take Trudeau for example...

[@rollinwithunclepete824]

I think those 2 guys walking from the US side to the Canadian side might the 1st people to "crossed" the bridge. Good work, Bob!

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

You know Uncle Pete, you might just be right. Well, if so, it's recorded for history.

[@nikolatesla5553]

Great video. But I wish someone would explain what they are doing. How are they aligning the decks?

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Hi Good question! This is what I found. The construction team has implemented precise controls and measurements to ensure proper alignment of the bridge decks before connecting them with the mid-span closure section. Here are the key points on how they achieve this alignment: Since the construction of the tower pylons began, engineers have had controls in place to monitor and maintain the alignment within a tolerance of 100-150 millimeters (4-6 inches). As the bridge deck segments were added from each side, their positioning was carefully controlled to stay on target for meeting in the middle. Temporary bracing pieces have recently been installed to hold the two sides of the bridge deck in precise alignment as they prepare to install the final mid-span closure slab. Before placing the mid-span closure section, the Canadian side of the bridge will be jacked slightly farther away to create the exact gap needed, with final measurements taken for precise cutting of the closure girders. The mid-span closure is a pre-fabricated 11-meter section custom-built to fit the remaining gap and connect the two decks seamlessly. So in summary, through continuous monitoring, precise positioning of deck segments, temporary bracing, and final adjustments like jacking the sides, the construction team can achieve the critical deck alignment needed before installing the custom mid-span closure piece to complete the bridge deck connection.

[@theroadnottaken9378]

Try doing some homework and you will find the answer, the bridge authority has all the information you are wondering about.

[@nikolatesla5553]

@theroadnottaken9378 I was hoping a video showed and explained how they do it. As opposed to pretty video flyover. But I have a fairly good idea. It is far simpler than how a tunnel boring machine stays aligned and hits its target after a few miles.

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Wish I could, but these videos are not funded and, already cut into my other responsibilities. I hear what you are saying though.

[@nikolatesla5553]

@bobjonesrealtor7756 I wasn't criticizing. I love the drone flyovers. It's an amazing bridge. It's fascinating and I am simply interested in learning more about how something like this gets built. I am kind of an addict for engineering videos.

[@lounar482]

Where's the safety netting? Geez!

[@mattharper588]

The workers are tied off to safety cables.If you can not see cables that are above them or at wast high elevation look at time stamp 4:20 and you can see the safety cable connected to the beam they are walking on.That is called a cat line.

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Hi Matt. Great bit of information. Thanks for the answer!

[@pnutty730]

Can’t wait to see the nice bridge open. 😊

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Hi pnutty730. I'm with you.

[@mauricevialette8383]

Hi, first I want to thank you for these videos I have watched them all since i came across your site. I am dying to know how they will align the twi sides and am wondering if you know. I assume they have to tension the cables on one of the sides.

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Hi Maurice. Looks like they align the decks using the steel beams, and I imagine cable adjustments to lock it in place before installing the mid section. We'll have to watch and learn together. :)

[@torchandhammer]

It's very tricky because the Canadian side is metric.

[@John-dm2ik]

@@torchandhammer It's Canadian designed and engineered. Both sides are metric..

[@larryskeggs9497]

Love everything about it just wish we weren’t footing the bill

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Hi Larry. I couldn't have said it better. Thanks for the comment.

[@seansmith8920]

As a Michigan resident....thank you Canada for stepping up when our government wouldn't.....don't know how right I am but have always felt Canada and Michigan have a bond not shared by other states along the border

[@theroadnottaken9378]

The Obama adminitration was approached at the time but they did not want to share any of the cost involved, not even the customs plaza costs on the US side, I do remember them turning it all down, that's when Canada stepped in and covered all costs. Always thought it was pretty much a slap in the face by the Obama admistration.

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Best thing is the bridge is there, now.

[@SteveVidra]

Do they have to wait for a certain time of the day so expansion/contraction lets the bolt holes line up ?

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Hi. I think the answer is in this reply - Hi dbockman52. This is what I found. Thanks for the question, this answers a lot ; The Gordie Howe International Bridge incorporates several design features to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the steel superstructure: The main span deck is not rigidly connected to the towers. Instead, it "floats" at each cable stay tower, allowing free longitudinal movement to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction. The deck is supported by cable stays that can accommodate rotations at the deck anchorages. Significant rotations are allowed - up to 25 milliradians under serviceability limit states and 10 milliradians for fatigue design. There are expansion joints between the main span and side spans to allow independent longitudinal movement. The last closure segment of the main span deck will be custom-cut on site to fit the exact gap remaining after thermal effects, ensuring a precise fit. The stay cables themselves are designed with rotational offsets at the deck anchorages to accommodate deck movements. So in summary, the bridge deck is not rigidly fastened to the towers. It can freely expand and contract longitudinally by "floating" on the cable stays which can rotate at their anchorages. Expansion joints separate the main span from the side spans to allow independent movements.

[@bigbuck2720]

Are the two side beams setting on the Canadian side or the US side, would be neet if US side sets one and the Canadian side sets the other

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Yeah. The last two peices. Cool.

[@cardphins68]

Awesome video! Thanks for this post!

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Hi cardphins. Yopur welcome. Thanks for the kind words.

[@Nisfor372]

This bridge is amazing and I can't wait to drive over it. It's something special to drive over the Ambassador Bridge and thru the tunnel also. Some of this crew's next stop should be Baltimore to rebuild the Key bridge they have proven they know what it takes to complete a massive job of this type.

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Hi Nisfor372. Me either. Terrible the collapse in Baltimore.

[@marieohara6805]

Where are our flags?

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

They changed the flags. Bigger now. They take them down when the cranes are in use.

[@mjones8204]

Just saw two guys cross from the US to Canada!, check their passports!!

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Can't think anyone would want to sneak into Canada now-a-days. Lol. Ok, that's not funny, . . . well not very funy.

[@randyb1890]

@@bobjonesrealtor7756 Other channels have reported that ICE is there already. As soon as it was possible to walk across all workers had to be checked.

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

That makes sense. Thanks, Randy.

[@geomodelrailroader]

cross beams are going in next they need to jack up the Canadian side and lock the bridge into the sleeves once that is done then the two edge beams go in and the bridge is complete except for the deck slabs and the steel closure segment.

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Hi @geomodelrailroader. It's almost finished being framed now!

[@BigSho0ter]

Is Zug Island a dump or what

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Hi BigSho0ter. Certainly not the best representation of Detroit.

[@nedkent5239]

Those guys in the basket lowered down! Wow! I could never do that…

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Hi Ned. Yeah, these guys have a lot of nerve.

[@aljock6927]

Where was OSHA they weren't tied off

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

I believe they were, Al. Hard to see everything from the video.

[@alfredodegregorio1599]

Traduci in Italiano

[@thomasrobinson8336]

One of the best done.Yep getting soon. You post Ill watch. A La Prochaine

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Thanks Thomas.

[@ksksk6556]

I believe the bridge will open before fall 2025 if they go the same pace

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Hi ksksk6556. I hope so. That would be a bonus.

[@ksksk6556]

@@bobjonesrealtor7756 Hey Bob. Actually according to US Department of Transportation, the bridge is scheduled to open by November 30 2024.

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Maybe they didn't update after the ten month extention?

[@danieljosephdelta44semperfi]

Once they have the alignment corrected? What are you talking about you're obviously not a builder of any kind that bridge was built in alignment

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Your right about that.

[@danieljosephdelta44semperfi]

@@bobjonesrealtor7756 I am ashamed, 😂 I know it's not funny but I'm laughing I'm sorry for that snotty comment Bob you're a great man please forgive me for that

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Don't sweat the small stuff, Daniel. No problem at all.

[@danieljosephdelta44semperfi]

@@bobjonesrealtor7756 thank you Bob like I said you are a great man

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Aww shucks.

[@JoeLinux2000]

The music is only slightly annoying.

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

What would be better? Let me know.

[@joefin5900]

Two nights ago, with great secrecy, an American and a Canadian ironworker walked one of those temp beams, shook hands and offered a toast. They passed each other to become the first to cross! They then returned to their side and walked into the pages of history. Like the ironworkers who base-jumped off of the Freedom Tower, they may yet be found.

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

They did the same thing installing the exterior girders. Done under the closk of nightfall!

[@chrisallen2005]

Gordie Howe hat trick. One goal, one assist and one fight.

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Hi Chris. I wouldn't want to be third on that hat trick.

[@MrRiggyG]

Seem to have trouble with your spelling!

[@stevensuarez4843]

He's Canadian.😊

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

You noiticed. You should see me type. It's painful to watch, but I get through it. :)

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Lol. That's as good an excuse as any. :)

[@stevensuarez4843]

@@bobjonesrealtor7756 I didn't want anybody poke fun at you. You're a hard working guy.

[@coldlakealta4043]

@@stevensuarez4843 yeah - he writes cheques instead of checks, too

[@lavluvlov]

The "Gordie Howe high-sticking maneuver" with no penalty..

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Lol. Thanks for the smile.

[@aljock6927]

Must be running out of money can't afford to paint the beams

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

HI Al. Lol. Maybe!

[@echodelta9]

Those are temporary for alignment to allow for zero movement whilst setting the prefab beams in place and then "buckets of bolts" begins.

[@paolobaccichet9639]

The chinese engineer would laugh at this bridge Take time and look at real bridge building in China at 1 tenth the cost What a joke 😂

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

We have 40 million people. And we're free. :) . . . kinda.

[@rporobotjack3683]

Be careful of what you say . China has a lot of problems with their infrastructure and still have not been able to make concrete to last.

[@echodelta9]

Bamboo reinforced cement, tofu dregs surface. Every corrupt practice you can imagine.

[@paolobaccichet9639]

@@echodelta9 and in canada there's no corruption COME ON WAKE UP

[@bobjonesrealtor7756]

Are you kidding? Canadian politcs is corrupt to the core. A lot of Canadians woke up in 2020. We need an election to stop the maddness of our PM.