Golden Ears Bridge, Cable-stayed road bridge in Vancouver region, Canada
The Golden Ears Bridge is a six-lane extradosed bridge over the Fraser River, linking Langley on the south bank with Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge on the north. Its 2,410 m total length includes three main spans of 244 m each and two shoreline spans of 122 m, carried by eight river pylons, four of them 90 m high.
Construction of the bridge began in 2006 as a transportation project to improve regional connections and reduce congestion around Vancouver. It first opened to pedestrians and cyclists in 2009, then to vehicle traffic shortly after.
The name was chosen through a community contest and comes from the Golden Ears peaks, which crown Mount Blanshard in Golden Ears Provincial Park; the winning entry was submitted by local pastor George Tabert. Two golden metal eagle sculptures sit at the top of the bridge, made by a German company after a U.S. design was dropped for structural weakness.
The bridge is open daily for vehicle traffic and for pedestrians and cyclists, with separate paths for those not using cars. Early morning and evening hours tend to offer the easiest crossing for walkers and cyclists, when vehicle traffic is lighter.
Eight pylons stand in the river, but only four reach 90 m (300 ft) in height. The bridge is the longest extradosed bridge in North America, with three main spans of 244 m each and two shoreline spans of 122 m.
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