Port Mann Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Port Mann Bridge is a steel tied arch bridge
that spans the Fraser River
connecting Coquitlam to Surrey
in British Columbia
near Vancouver
. The bridge consists of three spans with an orthotropic deck
carrying five lanes of Trans-Canada Highway traffic, with approach spans of three steel plate girders and concrete deck. The total length of the Port Mann is 2093 m (6,866.8 ft), including approach spans. The main span is: 366 m (1,200.8 ft) plus the two 110 m (360.9 ft) spans on either side. Current volume on the bridge is 127,000 trips per day. Approximately eight percent of the traffic on the Port Mann bridge is truck traffic. The bridge is the longest arch bridge in Canada and 15th longest in the world.
. The first "civilian" to drive across the bridge was CKNW reporter Marke Raines
. He was not authorized to cross, so he drove quickly. In 2001 a HOV
lane eastbound was added by moving the centre divider and by cantilevering the bridge deck outwards in conjunction with a seismic upgrade.
introduced the Gateway Program highway expansion program as a means to address growing congestion. The project originally envisioned twinning the Port Mann Bridge by building a second bridge adjacent to it but the project has been changed to building a 10-lane replacement bridge, claimed to be the widest in Canada, and demolishing the original bridge.
The PMH1 project adds another HOV lane and provides cycling access. The plan also calls for re-introduced bus service to the Port Mann Bridge for the first time in over 20 years. However, critics claim that the new bridge only delayed the re-introduction of bus service on the bridge. The new bus rapid transit
service will be operated within the HOV lanes along Highway 1 from Langley
to Burnaby.
The bridge will be tolled, electronically, approximately $3 each way. The estimated cost of construction is $2.46 billion (This also includes the cost of the Highway 1 upgrade, a total of 37 km). The total cost including operation and maintenance is expected to be $3.3 billion. When the new bridge is completed, the existing bridge, which will be more than 45 years old, will be taken down.
The project was intended to be funded by using the Public-private partnership
funding format, and Connect B.C. Development Group was chosen as the preferred developer. The Connect B.C. Group includes the Macquarie Group, Transtoll Inc., Peter Kiewit Sons Co. and Flatiron Constructors. Although a memorandum of understanding had been signed by the Province, final terms could not be agreed. Consequently, the Province will be funding the entire cost of replacement.
In total, the new bridge will be 2.02 km long, 65m wide carrying 10 lanes, and have a 42m clearance above high water level (same length and clearance as existing). The towers will be approximately 75m tall above deck level (total height approx 163m from top of footing). The main span (between the towers) will be 470 meters long, which will be the second longest cable-stayed span
in the western hemisphere. The main bridge (between the end of the cables) will have a length of 850 meters with two towers and 288 cables. In addition to the 10 traffic lanes at completion the new bridge will be built to accommodate the installation of light rapid transit line underneath the main deck at a future date. At 65 meters wide, the new Port Mann Bridge will hold the title of being the widest long span bridge of any type in the world. The current record is held by the Sydney Harbour bridge at 49 meters wide.
city council and directors of the GVRD (now Metro Vancouver) have passed resolutions opposing the Port Mann/Highway 1 expansion.Opponents to the expansion include local environmental groups, some urban planners, and the Sightline Institute
which is based in Washington State.
Opponents argue that increasing the highway capacity will increase greenhouse gas emissions and only relieve congestion for a few years before increased traffic congests the area again, and would encourage suburban sprawl. The Livable Region Coalition has urged the Minister of Transportation, Kevin Falcon
, to consider rapid transit
lines and improved bus
routes instead of building the new bridge.
The David Suzuki
Foundation claims the plan violates the goals of Metro Vancouver's Livable Region Strategic Plan.
Tied arch bridge
A tied-arch bridge is an arch bridge in which the outward-directed horizontal forces of the arch, or top chord, are borne as tension by the bottom chord , rather than by the ground or the bridge foundations...
that spans the Fraser River
Fraser River
The Fraser River is the longest river within British Columbia, Canada, rising at Fraser Pass near Mount Robson in the Rocky Mountains and flowing for , into the Strait of Georgia at the city of Vancouver. It is the tenth longest river in Canada...
connecting Coquitlam to Surrey
Surrey, British Columbia
Surrey is a city in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is a member municipality of Metro Vancouver, the governing body of the Greater Vancouver Regional District...
in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
near Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
. The bridge consists of three spans with an orthotropic deck
Orthotropic deck
An orthotropic bridge or orthotropic deck is one whose deck typically comprises a structural steel deck plate stiffened either longitudinally or transversely, or in both directions. This allows the deck both to directly bear vehicular loads and to contribute to the bridge structure's overall...
carrying five lanes of Trans-Canada Highway traffic, with approach spans of three steel plate girders and concrete deck. The total length of the Port Mann is 2093 m (6,866.8 ft), including approach spans. The main span is: 366 m (1,200.8 ft) plus the two 110 m (360.9 ft) spans on either side. Current volume on the bridge is 127,000 trips per day. Approximately eight percent of the traffic on the Port Mann bridge is truck traffic. The bridge is the longest arch bridge in Canada and 15th longest in the world.
History
The Port Mann Bridge opened on June 12, 1964, originally carrying four lanes. At the time of construction, it was the most expensive piece of highway in CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The first "civilian" to drive across the bridge was CKNW reporter Marke Raines
Marke Raines
Marke Raines was a Liberal party member of the Canadian House of Commons. He was a broadcaster and journalist by career....
. He was not authorized to cross, so he drove quickly. In 2001 a HOV
High-occupancy vehicle lane
In transportation engineering and transportation planning, a high-occupancy vehicle lane is a lane reserved for vehicles with a driver and one or more passengers...
lane eastbound was added by moving the centre divider and by cantilevering the bridge deck outwards in conjunction with a seismic upgrade.
Replacement
On January 31, 2006 the British Columbia Ministry of TransportationBritish Columbia Ministry of Transportation
The British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is the British Columbia government ministry responsible for transport infrastructure and law in the Canadian province of British Columbia...
introduced the Gateway Program highway expansion program as a means to address growing congestion. The project originally envisioned twinning the Port Mann Bridge by building a second bridge adjacent to it but the project has been changed to building a 10-lane replacement bridge, claimed to be the widest in Canada, and demolishing the original bridge.
The PMH1 project adds another HOV lane and provides cycling access. The plan also calls for re-introduced bus service to the Port Mann Bridge for the first time in over 20 years. However, critics claim that the new bridge only delayed the re-introduction of bus service on the bridge. The new bus rapid transit
Bus rapid transit
Bus rapid transit is a term applied to a variety of public transportation systems using buses to provide faster, more efficient service than an ordinary bus line. Often this is achieved by making improvements to existing infrastructure, vehicles and scheduling...
service will be operated within the HOV lanes along Highway 1 from Langley
Langley, British Columbia (city)
The City of Langley is a municipality in Metro Vancouver. It lies directly east of the City of Surrey, adjacent to Cloverdale, and surrounded on the north, east and south by Township of Langley.-History:...
to Burnaby.
The bridge will be tolled, electronically, approximately $3 each way. The estimated cost of construction is $2.46 billion (This also includes the cost of the Highway 1 upgrade, a total of 37 km). The total cost including operation and maintenance is expected to be $3.3 billion. When the new bridge is completed, the existing bridge, which will be more than 45 years old, will be taken down.
The project was intended to be funded by using the Public-private partnership
Public-private partnership
Public–private partnership describes a government service or private business venture which is funded and operated through a partnership of government and one or more private sector companies...
funding format, and Connect B.C. Development Group was chosen as the preferred developer. The Connect B.C. Group includes the Macquarie Group, Transtoll Inc., Peter Kiewit Sons Co. and Flatiron Constructors. Although a memorandum of understanding had been signed by the Province, final terms could not be agreed. Consequently, the Province will be funding the entire cost of replacement.
In total, the new bridge will be 2.02 km long, 65m wide carrying 10 lanes, and have a 42m clearance above high water level (same length and clearance as existing). The towers will be approximately 75m tall above deck level (total height approx 163m from top of footing). The main span (between the towers) will be 470 meters long, which will be the second longest cable-stayed span
Cable-stayed bridge
A cable-stayed bridge is a bridge that consists of one or more columns , with cables supporting the bridge deck....
in the western hemisphere. The main bridge (between the end of the cables) will have a length of 850 meters with two towers and 288 cables. In addition to the 10 traffic lanes at completion the new bridge will be built to accommodate the installation of light rapid transit line underneath the main deck at a future date. At 65 meters wide, the new Port Mann Bridge will hold the title of being the widest long span bridge of any type in the world. The current record is held by the Sydney Harbour bridge at 49 meters wide.
Opposition to Original Twinning Plan
A number of groups have lobbied to improve public transit rather than build a new bridge. Burnaby city council, VancouverVancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
city council and directors of the GVRD (now Metro Vancouver) have passed resolutions opposing the Port Mann/Highway 1 expansion.Opponents to the expansion include local environmental groups, some urban planners, and the Sightline Institute
Sightline Institute
The Sightline Institute is an independent, non-profit organization based in Seattle, Washington, U.S..Focusing on environmental policy, it was founded in 1993 by activist and author Alan Durning...
which is based in Washington State.
Opponents argue that increasing the highway capacity will increase greenhouse gas emissions and only relieve congestion for a few years before increased traffic congests the area again, and would encourage suburban sprawl. The Livable Region Coalition has urged the Minister of Transportation, Kevin Falcon
Kevin Falcon
Kevin Falcon is a Canadian politician and is the current Deputy Premier of British Columbia, Canada. He is a Member of the Legislative Assembly for the district of Surrey-Cloverdale and is a member of the BC Liberals...
, to consider rapid transit
Rapid transit
A rapid transit, underground, subway, elevated railway, metro or metropolitan railway system is an electric passenger railway in an urban area with a high capacity and frequency, and grade separation from other traffic. Rapid transit systems are typically located either in underground tunnels or on...
lines and improved bus
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
routes instead of building the new bridge.
The David Suzuki
David Suzuki
David Suzuki, CC, OBC is a Canadian academic, science broadcaster and environmental activist. Suzuki earned a Ph.D in zoology from the University of Chicago in 1961, and was a professor in the genetics department of the University of British Columbia from 1963 until his retirement in 2001...
Foundation claims the plan violates the goals of Metro Vancouver's Livable Region Strategic Plan.