Associated Engineering teamed with Graham Construction to deliver the Salton Road Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge through a design-build contract. Our team, including other sub-consultants, successfully designed and constructed a cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing arch bridge across Highway 1, connecting the City of Abbotsford’s downtown core with the University of the Fraser Valley.
The main span is 82 metres long and is comprised of a painted steel network arch built from curved steel pipes and round bar hangers. The bridge walkway is four metres wide, providing a functional bi-directional multi-use pathway. The use of bent pipes for the arch ribs significantly reduced structure cost, and achieved a slender and elegant look. Shallow rolled sections were used for the tie beam to maximize the clearance to the highway below. The light weight steel arch was assembled in the highway median and lifted into place during a single six-hour overnight highway closure, minimizing construction impacts to the traveling public. The concrete deck was cast on galvanized steel stay-in-place forms, without traffic closures.
The approach structure consists of two ramps with a combined length of 218 metres. The ramps comprise cast-in-place reinforced concrete superstructure on round piers and spread footings. Platforms and benches are provided at the top of the approach ramps and at switchbacks, to enhance the user experience. The fence on the main span has trapezoidal panels, with fence posts aligned with the bridge hangers creating a striking visual effect. Additionally, a public art display has been incorporated into the bridge fence.