Spanning the width of the Trans-Canada Highway, the Burnaby Lake Overpass is a striking example of large-scale steel fabrication. Its weathered rusted brown colour gives the structure a natural, landscape-integrated profile, bringing warmth and texture to an otherwise utilitarian piece of infrastructure.
The signature arches that define the overpass were manufactured in Niagara Falls, ON, by Hodgson Custom Rolling Inc. Following the bending process, the larger components were welded, assembled, and transported more than 4,600 km across Canada to British Columbia. After a forty-nine-hour journey by truck, final assembly was completed on site..
Weighing over 400 tonnes, the scale of this project is significant. Each 60-metre long piece of this interlaced steel structure is built to stand up to the elements for many years to come. The next challenge would be putting it into place.
Once assembled along the Trans-Canada Highway a team of engineers and heavy equipment operators carefully rotated the completed structure 90 degrees into position.
To complete the installation, a 10-kilometre segment of Canada’s longest highway was closed down overnight. The fully assembled bridge was then transported into place, crossing 8 lanes or traffic and connecting Burnaby Lake and Deer Lake Parks.
Constructed from Core-10 steel, the bridge benefits from a reactive chemical process occurs when the material is exposed to the elements. This process forms a protective patina, allowing the structure to maintain its distinctive rusted appearance while preserving structural integrity over time.
More than 3 years passed between the initial public use of the crossing and the awarding of the fabrication contract. To ensure absolute precision and reliability, every component produced by Hodgson Custom Rolling Inc. was verified using advanced measuring and imaging technology. The infrastructure projects of this scale, where public safety is paramount, uncompromising quality is essential.
Image credit –https://www.burnaby.ca/our-city/projects/burnaby-lake-overpass