Port Mann Bridge Upgrade
Location: Coquitlam, BC Contract Value: $35M
The Original Port Mann Bridge is the most traveled bridge in Western Canada. It carries the Trans Canada Highway over the Fraser River into the Greater Vancouver cities of Surrey and Coquitlam. Built in 1965, it was the first orthotropic deck structure built in North America. The bridge has a main span of 1,200 feet with two side spans each of 360 feet making it the third longest arch-bridge in the world when built. KWH, with a joint venture partner, carried out the seismic upgrade and widening for the full length of the bridge and approaches. To increase the capacity of the 6,870-foot long structure, a fifth lane was added for eastbound H.O.V. traffic only. The extra lane was achieved by removing the existing sidewalks and installing cantilever steel brackets to reinforce the bridge. Additional steel braces and diaphragms were added to reinforce the bridge due to the extra lane and for seismic upgrading to modern safety standards. A total of 3,300 Tons of steel was added. Over 120,000 cars cross the bridge daily so critical traffic management was required. The work was performed with minimal disruption to the public by day and night construction and efficient lane management. A temporary traveling gantry was erected across the traffic lanes to provide lifting for construction materials, with the hook being able to reach the ground below.
