The 407 ETR (Electronic Toll Route) just north of Toronto, Ontario is the world’s first all-electronic, barrier-free toll highway. The 407 continues to improve the highway for the daily commute of hundreds of thousands of drivers. Western played a key role in the 407 bridge expansion over Highway 404. This expansion presented unique challenges as the bridge was in the middle of a three-level highway interchange. Working closely with Dufferin Construction (contractor), All Canada Crane (crane services), and Anderson Haulage (transporter) Western coordinated the installation of the twenty-four CPCI concrete girders in under 12 hours. With some girders installed at clearances of just a few inches above the crane boom, planning was essential to the success of this project. Included in the planning, Western designed and built a low profile sheave, which was rigged directly to the CPCI girders, saving precious rigging height and making clearances possible for the crane boom under the overhead bridge.
