Port Mann Bridge: Demolition Timeline and New Span Completion

The old Port Mann Bridge (a 1964 steel arch span over the Fraser River near Vancouver, BC) was fully demolished by October 2017. Demolition began in early 2013 with an original target of mid-2015, but weather delays, technical complexities of dismantling a massive cantilever structure over a navigable river, and environmental protections extended the timeline.

New Bridge Phasing

The replacement Port Mann Bridge (a 10-lane cable-stayed bridge) opened in stages:

• November 2012: Initial 8 lanes opened to traffic.
• December 1, 2013: Final 2 lanes completed, bringing the bridge to its full 10-lane capacity.

The new bridge, part of the Highway 1 Improvement Project, features wider lanes, improved shoulders, dedicated HOV/bus lanes, and seismic resilience. The old bridge's piers were removed down to riverbed level, with debris recycled or disposed of responsibly.