Fugro’s foundation testing supports major Canada-US infrastructure project

The 2.5 km-long structure will improve travel and commerce across the Detroit River, which is responsible for 25 % of commercial traffic between Canada and the US. The project’s foundation contractors, GFL Environmental in Canada and Malcom Drilling in the US, engaged Fugro to confirm that the massive foundations met the design requirements.

Fugro’s Osterberg Cell (O-cell) bidirectional tests were combined with SONICaliper® inspections to provide accurate foundation load performance measurements on sacrificial test piles on each side of the river. To confirm the structural integrity of the production foundations, Fugro also performed shaft concrete quality evaluations using thermal integrity profiling and cross-hole sonic logging technology. Together, these technologies assured the foundation design requirements were being met, supporting the demanding project schedule completion date of 2024.

“The Gordie Howe International Bridge project is an ambitious infrastructure project, impressive in its design and significant in its long-term value to the Canadian-US border,” said Ray Wood, Director of Land Site Characterisation and Consulting for Fugro in the US. “Our work with the foundation engineering team provided the critical Geo-data needed to help ensure the safe and efficient transport of people and goods across North America’s busiest border crossing for generations to come.”