Skybridge (TransLink)
| Company type | Cable-stayed railway bridge |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport infrastructure |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Headquarters | Metro Vancouver , Canada |
Area served | Metro Vancouver |
| Products | Railway bridge for Expo Line trains |
| Parent | TransLink (operator) |
The SkyBridge is a cable-stayed railway structure located in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Erected from 1987 to 1989, it serves as a crossing for the Expo Line trains operated by TransLink's SkyTrain, spanning the Fraser River between New Westminster and Surrey. The bridge commenced revenue operations on March 16, 1990, coinciding with the Phase II extension of the SkyTrain to Scott Road station.
History
Work on the bridge started on October 28, 1987. The section on the Surrey side was finalized first, with the New Westminster portion completed by March 19, 1990. The construction was carried out by Hyundai Engineering & Construction alongside Kerkhoff Construction, a company based in Chilliwack. The total expenditure amounted to CAD 28 million (equivalent to roughly dollars). By September 1988, construction activities had concluded, followed by extensive testing throughout 1989.
Details
The SkyBridge supports two tracks of the Expo Line running between King George station in Surrey and Waterfront station located in Downtown Vancouver. A central third rail, distinct from the passenger tracks, facilitates maintenance teams in transporting equipment. The bridge deck is composed of 104 precast concrete segments manufactured in Richmond, which were transported via barge and installed using heavy lifting equipment. These segments were bonded together using epoxy resin. The structure is dedicated exclusively to rail transit and does not accommodate vehicular traffic, which is routed over the neighboring Pattullo Bridge.
With two towers standing at tall, the bridge elevates trains approximately above the Fraser River and its surrounding valley. Its main span extends , contributing to an overall length of . From its inauguration in 1990 until 2019, it held the distinction of being the longest cable-supported bridge dedicated solely to transit use worldwide, before being surpassed by several bridges within Chongqing, China.
Delayed opening
The bridge’s launch experienced postponements amid disputes as a non-union consortium was accused of submitting lower bids compared to unionized contractors. This controversy prompted labor groups to call for union members to boycott the project. The conflict highlighted wider tensions stemming from the Social Credit Party’s endorsement of non-union labor practices, drawing strong resistance from the BC and Yukon Building and Construction Trades Council, which designated the site as a "hot site."
See also
References
External links
- Articles with short description
- 1989 establishments in British Columbia
- Bridges completed in 1989
- Bridges in Greater Vancouver
- Bridges over the Fraser River
- Buildings and structures in New Westminster
- Buildings and structures in Surrey, British Columbia
- Transport in New Westminster
- Transport in Surrey, British Columbia
- Cable-stayed bridges in Canada
- Expo Line (SkyTrain)
- Railway bridges in British Columbia
- Rapid transit bridges