The Casano-Loutet Overpass supports the City’s long-term transportation plan, The Mobility Strategy, and will expand the City’s active transportation network. The overpass is a key connection to existing and future active transportation routes including the Green Necklace, Upper Levels Greenway, and Mid-town connector, enabling people to travel by active modes safely across the City. The new overpass will also provide a more direct alternative to Lynn Valley Road for those traveling north and south of the highway, including students attending Sutherland Secondary School, as well as connecting two major centres of employment and commerce – the City of North Vancouver and Lynn Valley Town Centre.
< Click for larger image >
North Vancouver-based company Surespan have been contracted to deliver this project. Staged construction will begin in mid March 2025 until project completion in summer 2026:
Early Spring 2025
- Tree removal and site clearing
- Excavation work on north and south sides of Highway 1
Mid Spring to early Winter 2025
- Steel bridge is fabricated offsite
- Construction of bridge support piers and other key structural features
Early Winter 2025 to mid Spring 2026
- Main bridge installation
- Installation of lighting, fences, benches and pathways
Spring 2026
- Tree and shrub planting and final landscaping
Summer 2026
Milestone project moment
The installation of the overpass’ structural spine, also known as a box girder, was completed on February 5, 2026. The box girder is approximately 1.5m wide and tall, and constructed from a strong and low-maintenance steel known as weathering steel. It was fabricated and fully assembled at a factory on Vancouver Island before being disassembled into three sections and shipped to site for installation. Steel was chosen for the structural spine as it was the material best suited to meet the project’s design challenges. These include providing the required clearance over Highway 1, as determined by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, so trucks can pass safely underneath, while also connecting with different heights of land on either side of the overpass. Over February and March 2026, the 4.5m wide concrete walking and rolling surface will be added, followed by the safety fence, handrails and lighting.
Temporary traffic changes
The City is committed to ensuring minimal disruption to the community during project construction. The main bridge was assembled offsite, and installation occurred at night to reduce impact on the community and highway during peak traffic flow periods. Temporary traffic changes to Highway 1, including closure for several hours, was required during bridge installation. This temporary change was coordinated with the Ministry of Transportation and Transit and communicated to the community in advance.
Tree removal
The project requires removal of some trees from two City-owned sites on the north and south sides of Highway 1 where the bridge meets the approach pathways. A majority of these trees are considered to be in moderate to poor health, while others have been identified as presenting a safety risk to workers in the construction zone. As requested by the Squamish Nation, all suitable cedars felled will be provided to the Nation for their use.
The completed project includes a nearly one-to-one replacement of trees and additional planting of 2300 shrubs to restore the area with a more natural, bio-diverse forest composition. In the short term, some residents along Casano Drive may have an open view of the highway, however the completed project will provide an earthworks and vegetated screen once again