Pitt River Bridge

Associated Engineering was part of the design-build team selected to replace the Pitt River Bridge in Port Coquitlam, BC. The seven-lane, $200 million bridge project across the Pitt River replaced two aging swing bridges. The 506 metre long bridge features a 380 metre long three-span cable-stayed bridge which is integral with two approach spans at each end.

The project team developed an innovative and cost-effective bridge concept using an advanced cable-stayed design and highly efficient river foundations. Our design offers significant constructability benefits and operational advantages. With only one river pier the cable-stayed bridge reduced in-river construction works, disruption to navigation, and impact to the environment.  The novel two-pylon bridge design replacement features three planes of cable stays.

To address the three-level performance-based seismic design criteria we carried out pushover analyses to assess seismic performance of the main pylons, approach pier and piles. 3D linear spectral and non-linear time history analyses were performed for demand verification and design checking, in addition to detailed wind and stay-cable loss studies.

Designed and constructed in a record 30 months, the new Pitt River Bridge was opened to traffic in November 2009.