Fifth Year Review of Innovative Deck Waterproofing Asphalt Hillsborough Bridge: PEI Experience

Bridge deck deterioration is one of the major problems affecting the longevity of bridges. Although several factors can contribute to bridge deck distresses, moisture and chloride intrusion are two factors that significantly accelerate deterioration. In Canada, reinforcement corrosion protection has evolved over the last 50 years to address the ingression of moisture and chlorides while ensuring a minimum level of protection against corrosion by including a waterproofing system. Waterproofing systems generally include a thin, impermeable membrane placed between the bridge deck and the protective riding surface. Other components, such as primer and tack coats, are required to promote proper bonding between the membrane, the bridge deck, and the riding surface, respectively. The innovative low permeability bridge deck mixture presented in this paper was specifically developed to provide a protective and impervious surface coating, thus preventing the ingression of water, de-icing salts, and other chemicals. This paper reviews details from conception, design, and initial field trials of the work completed on the Hillsborough Bridge on Prince Edward Island, which was paved in the Summer of 2022, and delivers findings on the performance assessment of the very first project that utilized this mix in Brighton, Ontario, 5 years after construction.