Canada’s national standards body has introduced a new bridge design code that, for the first time, directs engineers to account for long-term climate change impacts when designing highway bridges.
The 13th edition of the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code, released as CSA S6:25, marks a significant shift in national infrastructure standards. CSA Group says the update moves beyond historic weather records and incorporates predictive climate modelling to guide design decisions. Previous editions relied heavily on mid-20th-century climate data.
The shift comes as Canada continues to warm at two to three times the global average, exposing infrastructure to higher risks from extreme heat, intense storms, increased river flows and rising sea levels. With more than 50,000 publicly owned bridges across the country, governments and engineers are being pushed to design structures built for future conditions rather than past expectations.
“Bridges are long-term investments in our communities and our economy,” said Dwayne Torrey, director of construction and infrastructure standards at CSA Group. “This new code gives engineers the tools they need to design infrastructure that anticipates evolving environmental impacts.”
The updated standard provides direction on addressing climate-driven hazards, including flooding, ice buildup and stronger wind events. CSA Group says the intention is to improve bridge performance, extend service life and reduce long-term maintenance costs by anticipating stresses that could emerge over several decades.
The code also introduces a consistent national framework for climate-resilient bridge design. Until now, approaches varied between jurisdictions, creating uneven requirements across provinces and territories.
CSA Group says the new edition is part of a broader effort to modernize infrastructure standards in response to accelerating environmental change.
Images via Depositphotos
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