North Arm Bridge

North Arm Bridge
The North Arm Bridge shot from a SkyTrain that has just left the bridge, in Richmond heading to Bridgeport Station.
Coordinates	49°12′09″N 123°06′57″W / 49.20250°N 123.11583°W / 49.20250; -123.11583
Carries	Two tracks of the Canada Line and a pedestrian and bike pathway attached beneath the tracks
Crosses	North Arm of the Fraser River
Locale	Vancouver Richmond
Characteristics
Total length	562 m (1844 ft)
Height	47 m (154 ft)
Longest span	180 m (591 ft)
Clearance below	25 m (83 ft)
History
Opened	August 14, 2009 (pedestrian-bike walkway)[1] August 17, 2009 (Canada Line tracks)

The North Arm Bridge is an extradosed bridge in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It spans the north arm of the Fraser River, linking Vancouver to Richmond. It is used by trains on the Canada Line, which opened in August 2009. The bridge is billed as North America's first extradosed bridge.^[2]

The bridge also has a dedicated pedestrian and bicycle pathway underneath one of its wings.^[3]

Bridge Details

Pedestrian and bicycle pathway beneath the bridge

The North Arm Bridge does not carry automotive vehicles, as the neighbouring Oak Street Bridge does. The bridge has two tracks enabling SkyTrains to pass each other either way traversing the bridge between Bridgeport Station in Richmond and Marine Drive Station in south Vancouver. The main span is 180 metres (591 ft) and has a total length of 562 m (1844 ft). The bridge deck elevation can go up to 25 metres (83 ft) while the maximum tower elevation is 47 metres (154 ft).^[4]

History

The bridge incurred one fatality during its construction. Andrew Slobodian died instantly in January 2008 when the crane he was operating tipped over and he was crushed.^[5] A small plaque is installed in the middle of the bridge - close to where Mr. Slobodian died - recounting this event.

References

External links

Media related to North Arm Bridge at Wikimedia Commons