Alexandra Bridge (Trans-Canada)
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Highway 1Alexandra Bridge | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 49°42′04″N 121°24′36″W / 49.70111°N 121.41000°W |
| Carries | 2 lanes of Highway 1 |
| Crosses | Fraser River |
| Locale | Chapmans Spuzzum |
| Owner | British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure |
| Preceded by | Second Alexandra Bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | arch bridge |
| Material | Steel |
| Total length | 487 metres (1,598 ft) |
| Width | 12.2 metres (40 ft) |
| Longest span | 257 metres (843 ft) |
| History | |
| Opened | 24 October 1962 |
| Location | |
 | |
The Alexandra Bridge is a steel arch bridge across the Fraser River in the lower Fraser Canyon area of southwestern British Columbia, Canada.[1] The two-lane crossing, carrying BC Highway 1, is by road about 44 kilometres (27 mi) north of Hope and 66 kilometres (41 mi) south of Lytton.
Several ferries and the first and second Alexandra Bridges have existed in the vicinity.
Bridge construction and opening
In 1958, General Construction Co was awarded the bridge substructure ($589,167),[2] but unexpected ground conditions temporarily halted the work, while minor changes were made in the foundations design.[3] The next year, A.I.M. Steel was awarded the steel superstructure ($2,262,283).[4]
In May 1962, the steelwork was complete. At the time, the second longest bridge of this type in the world,[5] the bridge remains the longest one in the Fraser Canyon.[6] For the final phase, Narod Construction was awarded the deck and fence contract ($109,684).[7]
The 487-metre (1,598 ft) length comprises a 257-metre (843 ft) arch span and steel girder approach spans with concrete decks.[8] Northeast to southwest, the bridge crosses the Canadian National Railway (CN), Fraser River, and Canadian Pacific Railway (CP).[9]
In October 1962, Highways Minister Phil Gaglardi officially opened the $4 million high level bridge. The increased gross load allowance to 34,473 kilograms (76,000 lb) and trailer lengths to 18 metres (60 ft) for the highway permitted heavy trucks to use this more direct route rather than the circuitous Hope–Princeton.[10][11]
