Client
Vancouver Port Corporation
Location
Vancouver, Canada
Preliminary Design
Construction Supervision
The Main Street overpass is an extension of Main Street over the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and provides one of the major accesses to the Port of Vancouver. The proximity of the CPR to local streets required an innovative solution to minimize approach grades yet provide the required railway clearances. A variable depth cast-in-place post-tensioned concrete structure was selected.
Major features of the project were:
• Bridge length was minimized by the use of a long approach embankment at the north end of the structure.
• Structure is designed for four traffic lanes but is initially operated with two lanes.
• Cast-in-place post-tensioned structure with 8m wide variable depth 'spine' beam and 6.7m long deck cantilevers.
• Pedestrian environment improved by use of landscaping and exposed aggregate finish on sidewalk.
• Reinforced concrete spread footings placed directly on sandstone bedrock.
• Electrical room recessed into abutment.
• Electrical layout for street lighting was included in design assignment.