Salton Pedestrian Bridge

This design-build project was a key component of the City of Abbotsford’s strategic goal to enhance multi-modal transportation systems in the community to support walking, cycling and transit. This crucial and highly visible project required the innovative expertise of proven industry leaders. The project was delivered efficiently by achieving stakeholder buy-in with a context-sensitive design to smoothly integrate this project into the community.

The bridge design concept specifically addressed the City’s unique functional requirements. By connecting Salton Road for more active modes of transportation, the new bridge underpinned several of the City’s key policy objectives, including the development of complete neighbourhoods, active transportation, a place for citizens to safety utilize, and general system improvements. The project directly addressed many of the City’s official community plan goals, particularly:

Graham constructed the 78m long x 4m wide steel span and erection took place in the Median on Highway 1. Crews worked on the concrete approaches on either side for the new Salton Road Pedestrian and Cycle bridge. Detailed planning of the work schedule, construction methods, and design approach for this project led to the successful 4 ½ hour operation where Graham’s team used their strong experience and planning skills to erect this signature structure in the Fraser Valley. Features of the project included:

Construction of the new Salton Pedestrian Bridge involved concrete approaches and 7 piers to support this 80m long pedestrian bridge. The steel structure, with High Performance Concrete deck, included the construction of new asphalt approaches, as well as electrical and lighting scope and the coordination and implementation of utility relocates to facilitate construction.

Given the close proximity to the active highway 1 corridor, Graham installed temporary sheet pile shoring to protect the integrity of the highway during the construction of the adjacent pier. Graham utilized a 500 tonne crane to complete the bridge erection which was completed in a single night to minimize impacts on highway traffic.

Lining the highway on either side are grass medians and in the middle of the highway is a grassy gulley with trees. Environmental and bird surveys were required prior to the abutment and pier work on either side of the highway and before any clearing and grubbing could take place.

This bridge was constructed in the median of one of British Columbia’s busiest thoroughfares, Highway 1. A Traffic Management Plan was created to limit interruption to the daily heavy traffic and the final erection took place during the middle of the night to minimize impact. The unique site of the bridge construction, with a high point of 10 metres that was under construction on a median, was of curiosity to drivers and created a safety issue for both work crews and motorist s. Graham set up a privacy screen and large roadside barriers on the edge of the median to prevent traffic from veering into the median to protect the workers.

A major challenge of this project was the physical constraints of working in the middle of a four-lane highway. The chosen site was close to where the crane needed to be to lift the bridge into place. This area of median in between the freeway lanes was in a V-shaped gulley that had to be graded in order to provide a flat surface for the 30-metre-wide and 46-metre-long site. The site provided space for storage containers, crews, lay-down area, and a 120-tonne crane.

This design-build project was a key component of the City of Abbotsford’s strategic goal to enhance multi-modal transportation systems in the community to support walking, cycling and transit. This crucial and highly visible project required the innovative expertise of proven industry leaders. The project was delivered efficiently by achieving stakeholder buy-in with a context-sensitive design to smoothly integrate this project into the community.

The bridge design concept specifically addressed the City’s unique functional requirements. By connecting Salton Road for more active modes of transportation, the new bridge underpinned several of the City’s key policy objectives, including the development of complete neighbourhoods, active transportation, a place for citizens to safety utilize, and general system improvements. The project directly addressed many of the City’s official community plan goals, particularly:

• Integrating the community and the University of Fraser Valley Campus
• Increasing transportation choices
• Responsible land management
• Developing sustainable communities
• Protecting the environment
• Growing a sustainable economy
• Managing energy responsibly

Graham constructed the 78m long x 4m wide steel span and erection took place in the Median on Highway 1. Crews worked on the concrete approaches on either side for the new Salton Road Pedestrian and Cycle bridge. Detailed planning of the work schedule, construction methods, and design approach for this project led to the successful 4 ½ hour operation where Graham’s team used their strong experience and planning skills to erect this signature structure in the Fraser Valley. Features of the project included:

• 2.6m wide separated bike path along Salton Road between Marshall Road and Highway 1 with a 1.5m sidewalk and parking on the west side of Salton Road
• 4m wide cycle/pedestrian bridge over Highway 1
• 3.0m wide separated bike path along Salton Road between Highway 1 and King Road with a 1.5m sidewalk on the east side and parking on the east side of Salton Road to accommodate use of the infrastructure.
• Pedestrian traffic signal at King Road & Salton Road
• The inclusion of public art went through a public consultation process.

Construction of the new Salton Pedestrian Bridge involved concrete approaches and 7 piers to support this 80m long pedestrian bridge. The steel structure, with High Performance Concrete deck, included the construction of new asphalt approaches, as well as electrical and lighting scope and the coordination and implementation of utility relocates to facilitate construction.

Given the close proximity to the active highway 1 corridor, Graham installed temporary sheet pile shoring to protect the integrity of the highway during the construction of the adjacent pier. Graham utilized a 500 tonne crane to complete the bridge erection which was completed in a single night to minimize impacts on highway traffic.

Lining the highway on either side are grass medians and in the middle of the highway is a grassy gulley with trees. Environmental and bird surveys were required prior to the abutment and pier work on either side of the highway and before any clearing and grubbing could take place.

This bridge was constructed in the median of one of British Columbia’s busiest thoroughfares, Highway 1. A Traffic Management Plan was created to limit interruption to the daily heavy traffic and the final erection took place during the middle of the night to minimize impact. The unique site of the bridge construction, with a high point of 10 metres that was under construction on a median, was of curiosity to drivers and created a safety issue for both work crews and motorist s. Graham set up a privacy screen and large roadside barriers on the edge of the median to prevent traffic from veering into the median to protect the workers.

A major challenge of this project was the physical constraints of working in the middle of a four-lane highway. The chosen site was close to where the crane needed to be to lift the bridge into place. This area of median in between the freeway lanes was in a V-shaped gulley that had to be graded in order to provide a flat surface for the 30-metre-wide and 46-metre-long site. The site provided space for storage containers, crews, lay-down area, and a 120-tonne crane.