Mission Bridge, Girder bridge in British Columbia, Canada
Mission Bridge is a steel and concrete girder bridge over the Fraser River, carrying BC Highway 11 between Mission and Abbotsford. Its 1,126-metre length includes a 16-metre roadway with 2-metre sidewalks on each side, 20 spans, and 19 piers, 8 of them in the river. The main river spans are stiffened steel box girders, while the approaches use concrete or steel I-girders.
Construction started in March 1969 and the structure was opened in 1973, creating a major transportation link for the region. The project significantly improved road access between Mission and Abbotsford.
The official opening on July 7, 1973, drew 1,500 people and included a parade of vintage vehicles and police cruisers, brass bands, jets flying past, and military personnel parachuting onto the deck from low-flying aircraft. Premier Dave Barrett officially opened the bridge, which had opened to traffic on June 23 after four and a half years of construction.
The bridge is accessible to vehicles and pedestrians using separate pathways designed for each. Walking across offers clear views of the river and surrounding areas, making it straightforward to navigate.
The three main river spans are stiffened steel box girders, prefabricated by Canron in Vancouver as 13 sections up to 30 metres long and 200 tons each, then barged to the site. In July 1972 a 24-ton floating crane lifted the first 150-ton section 21 metres onto the north centre pier.
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