Nares River Bridge Construction Surveying

Project Snapshot

Project Overview

Introduction

Underhill was contracted by Ruskin Construction to provide critical surveying support for the construction of the new Nares River Bridge in Carcross, Yukon. This bridge serves as the only vehicular crossing over the Nares River and provides a vital link between Yukon and Alaska.

Project Challenges

Replacing the original 1970s wooden bridge required precise layout and construction coordination across multiple phases. The project had to maintain tight tolerances for structural alignment while accommodating the geographic and environmental conditions of a riverside worksite.

Underhill’s Approach

Underhill performed topographic and volume surveys early in the project to support earthworks and site prep. During construction, our team was responsible for the precise layout of bridge pillars, sole plates, and girders—ensuring each component was correctly positioned to support load-bearing and safety requirements. All field data was integrated into CAD-based models to support contractor workflows.

Notable Outcomes

• Successful layout and surveying of a major river crossing structure 
• Improved safety and load capacity for a key access route between Yukon and Alaska 
• Timely, accurate support during bridge construction for a high-impact infrastructure project 

Technical Highlights

• Topographic surveys for site and riverbank preparation 
• Volume computations to support excavation and fill operations 
• Pillar, sole plate, and girder layout with high precision 
• CAD-based modeling to assist engineering and construction teams 
• Ongoing construction surveys to ensure quality and compliance 

Project Impact

Underhill’s precise surveying enabled the safe and timely replacement of a critical transportation link between Yukon and Alaska. Our work ensured structural accuracy during every phase of construction, improving long-term safety and load capacity for regional travel and trade. This project strengthens northern infrastructure and supports economic and community connectivity in the territory.