Port Mann Bridge

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The Port Mann Bridge

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 (6867 ft.), including approach spans. The main span is: 366 m (1200 ft.) plus the two 110 m (360 ft.) spans on either side.^[1]

1 History
2 Port Mann/Highway 1 Project
3 See also
4 References

[edit] 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 Canada. The first “civilian” to drive across the bridge was CKNW reporter Marke Raines. He was not authorized to cross, so he drove quickly.^[2]

[edit] Port Mann/Highway 1 Project

On January 31, 2006 the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation introduced the Gateway Program as a means to address growing congestion.^[3] The scope of the Gateway Project includes building a second bridge to double the capacity of the Port Mann Bridge.

The Ministry of Transportation contends that increased congestion increases pollution thus lowering the quality of life for residents and workers, as well as increasing costs to move goods and services. Presently rush hour conditions over the bridge are approaching 14 hours a day,^[4] and the Port of Vancouver expects to see a quadrupling of traffic by 2020.^[5] Coupled with population growth, this economic growth means more pressure on regional transportation infrastructure.

The current proposal of twinning the bridge and widening the Trans-Canada highway from Surrey to the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing in Vancouver is controversial.

Opponents to the expansion are an east Vancouver-based group called Citizens Concerned with Highway Expansion,^[6]The City of Burnaby,^[7] and urban planners.^[8] The main opposing argument is that increasing the highway capacity will only increase the traffic over the span and encourage suburban sprawl. The Livable Region Coalition has urged the Minister of Transportation, Kevin Falcon, to consider more sustainable solutions to reducing congestion, including rapid transit lines, and improved bus routes.^[9] The David Suzuki Foundation claims the plan violates the goals of the Livable Region Strategic Plan and fails to promote alternative forms of transportation.^[10] Many citizens and citizen groups have called on the government to open up the proposal to public scrutiny.

Environmentalists have pointed out that the twinning of the Port Mann has less to do with alleviating congestion than has been suggested, but is rather motivated by a governmental goal to increase Vancouver's port share by twofold over the next decade.^{[citation needed]} More lanes on the bridge means easier access for trucks between the Port and Canadian routes inland, as well as the I-5 corridor south. This is especially important to port traffic since the port does not operate at night, when the roads are largely empty. Since the privatization of CN Rail in 1992, it is politically easier to subsidize trucking indirectly through road building, than rail directly through the input of funds.^{[citation needed]}

The Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority has endorsed the plan contingent of the following conditions: the bridge be financed by tolls, the bridge includes priority access/HOV lanes, and the government does not encourage motorists to use the Pattullo Bridge as a free alternative.^[11]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

^ PORT MANN BRIDGE. Buckland & Taylor Ltd.. Retrieved on February 10, 2007.
^ Davis, Chuck. 1964 Chronology. The History of Metropolitan Vancouver. Retrieved on February 10, 2007.
^ Gateway Program Definition Report. Ministry of Transportation of British Columbia (January 31, 2005). Retrieved on February 11, 2007.
^ Gateway Program Frequently Asked Questions. Government of British Columbia. Retrieved on February 11, 2007.
^ Gateway Program. Government of British Columbia. Retrieved on February 10, 2007.
^ Bisetty, Krisendra (April 11, 2005). Car pool, transit better than twinning Port Mann, group claims. Vancouver Sun. Retrieved on February 11, 2007.
^ Burnaby Public Consultation on Provincial Gateway Program (PDF). City of Burnaby. Retrieved on February 11, 2007.
^ Ward, Doug (June 20, 2006). Planners oppose Gateway Program. The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved on February 11, 2007.
^ Questions about the B.C. Government’s Port Mann and Highway 1 proposal for the Vancouver Region (PDF). The Livable Region Coalition (October 2004). Retrieved on February 11, 2007.
^ Proposed twinning of the Port Mann Bridge and Highway 1 expansion (PDF). David Suzuki Foundation. Retrieved on February 11, 2007.
^ Agendas and Reports. Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority (July 11, 2006). Retrieved on February 11, 2007.

v • d • e Bridges and Tunnels in Greater Vancouver
Road bridges	Alex Fraser Bridge • Arthur Laing Bridge • Burrard Street Bridge • Cambie Street Bridge • Deering Island Bridge • Dinsmore Bridge • Dollarton Bridge • Georgia Viaduct • Golden Ears Bridge • Granville Street Bridge • Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing • Knight Street Bridge • Lions' Gate Bridge • Moray Bridge • No. 2 Road Bridge • Oak Street Bridge • Pattullo Bridge • Pitt River Bridge • Port Mann Bridge • Queensborough Bridge • Sea Island Bridge • Westham Island Bridge
Road-rail bridges	Derwent Way Bridge
Rail bridges	CNR Bridge • Fraser River Swing Bridge • Marpole Bridge • Middle Arm Bridge • North Arm Bridge • Second Narrows Bridge • Skybridge
Pedestrian bridges	Capilano Suspension Bridge • Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge
Road tunnels	Cassiar Tunnel • George Massey Tunnel
Rail tunnels	B.C. Railway Tunnel • CNR Tunnel • Douglas Tunnel • Dunsmuir Tunnel • Lonsdale Tunnel