Port Mann Bridge: Still Standing, Still Serving Metro Vancouver
The Port Mann Bridge remains fully operational. Opened in 2012, this 10-lane cable-stayed bridge spans the Fraser River between Surrey and Coquitlam, carrying Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) through Metro Vancouver. It replaced the 1964 steel arch bridge that had become a notorious bottleneck.
Current Status
- In service: No plans for closure, replacement, or major reconstruction
- Traffic volume: ~130,000-140,000 vehicles/day (pre-pandemic peak)
- Tolling: Electronic tolling ended Sept 2017 (BC government eliminated tolls on all BC bridges)
- Condition: Regular maintenance; designed for 75-100 year service life
Bridge Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|
| Type | Cable-stayed (twin towers, semi-fan arrangement) |
| Main span | 470 m (1,542 ft) |
| Total length | 2,020 m (6,627 ft) |
| Width | 65 m (213 ft) — 10 lanes + multi-use path |
| Towers | 163 m (535 ft) high; diamond-shaped |
| Cables | 288 stays (144 per side); galvanized steel strands |
| Deck | Precast concrete segments; orthotropic steel at towers |
| Navigation clearance | 47 m (154 ft) at center |
Why Expansion Talk Exists
- Induced demand: 10 lanes filled faster than projected; peak congestion persists
- Regional growth: Surrey, Langley, Abbotsford growing rapidly
- No transit alternative: SkyTrain Expo Line ends at King George; Fraser Valley underserved
- Proposals: 12 lanes (narrower shoulders), bus-on-shoulder, future SkyTrain extension
Official Position (BC Ministry of Transportation)
- No funded expansion project
- Focus: Transit investment — Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension (under construction, opens 2028)
- Demand management: HOV lanes, telecommuting, TDM programs
- Goods movement: Separate Fraser River crossing study for rail/truck
Tourist Attraction
- Multi-use path: 4.5 m wide; pedestrian/cyclist; separate from traffic
- Views: Fraser River, Golden Ears, Mount Baker, Metro Vancouver panorama
- Photography: Popular at sunset; tower lighting at night
- Access: Pedestrian entrances at both ends (Surrey: 156 St; Coquitlam: United Blvd)
The 1964 Bridge It Replaced
- Steel arch; 5 lanes (3+2 reversible)
- Built for 50,000 vehicles/day; carried 130,000+
- Frequent closures for wind, accidents, maintenance
- Demolished 2015-16 (controlled implosion of approaches; arch span lowered by barge)
The Port Mann Bridge isn't going anywhere. It's a critical, relatively new link in a growing region. The conversation has shifted from "more lanes" to "better transit" — recognizing that no bridge width solves induced demand. For now, it carries the Fraser crossing with capacity to spare outside rush hours, and a walking path that's become a destination itself.
Wanderlust World