The old Port Mann Bridge has been completely dismantled and demolition work is now complete. As part of the new Trans-Canada Highway, this iconic bridge spanned the Fraser River between Surrey and Coquitlam in British Columbia and opened in 1964.
The construction of the new 10 lane Port Mann Bridge required dismantling the old bridge, and work to remove the structure began in December 2012.
Sections of the bridge were removed, piece-by-piece, in reverse order to how it was constructed. Crews started with the deck, then the girders on the bridge’s approach. Removing the steel arch began in spring 2014 and concluded in summer 2015.
All that remains of the original bridge are two concrete pedestals, or footings. One remains on the western tip of Tree Island, and the other on the southern bank of the Fraser River. Both were left in place because they contribute to shoreline stability and provide habitat for fish and wildlife.
Materials from the original bridge were recycled, including more than 18,000 tonnes of structural steel.
The footprint for the new bridge overlapped sections of the old bridge's approach spans, and removing the original crossing was ultimately more cost effective than upgrading and maintaining it. Plans to twin the original crossing with a second five lane bridge were abandoned early in the planning phase in favour of one new 10 lane crossing built to modern earthquake standards.
Port Mann/Highway 1 Improvement construction was officially concluded in September 2015. Bridge dismantling and some remaining off-highway work was completed in the following month of October.
Sections of the bridge were removed, piece-by-piece, in reverse order to how it was constructed. Crews started with the deck, then the girders on the bridge’s approach. Removing the steel arch began in spring 2014 and concluded in summer 2015.
All that remains of the original bridge are two concrete pedestals, or footings. One remains on the western tip of Tree Island, and the other on the southern bank of the Fraser River. Both were left in place because they contribute to shoreline stability and provide habitat for fish and wildlife.
Materials from the original bridge were recycled, including more than 18,000 tonnes of structural steel.
The footprint for the new bridge overlapped sections of the old bridge's approach spans, and removing the original crossing was ultimately more cost effective than upgrading and maintaining it. Plans to twin the original crossing with a second five lane bridge were abandoned early in the planning phase in favour of one new 10 lane crossing built to modern earthquake standards.
Port Mann/Highway 1 Improvement construction was officially concluded in September 2015. Bridge dismantling and some remaining off-highway work was completed in the following month of October.
