The City of North Vancouver officially opened Crosscut Bridge earlier today, delivering a new walking, rolling and cycling connection over the Upper Levels Highway.
Spanning from Loutet Park to the intersection of Casano Drive and Rufus Avenue, Crosscut Bridge will reconnect the Loutet and Cedar Village communities separated by the construction of the highway in the 1960s.
The new bridge provides a safe and accessible pathway for people walking, rolling and cycling to schools, parks, services and commercial areas – connecting the two key regional hubs of the City of North Vancouver and Lynn Valley. By linking to current and future active transportation routes – the Green Necklace, Salop Trail, Upper Levels Greenway and Eastside Connector – residents of all ages and abilities can now enjoy a safe and inviting new route supporting their movement around the City and beyond, wherever they live, work, learn, play or do business.
Sutherland Secondary School students living east of the highway can look forward to a safer and more direct route to school come September.
“The opening of Crosscut Bridge marks the beginning of a new chapter for the City of North Vancouver,” said Mayor Linda Buchanan. “It connects neighbourhoods that were previously separated, allowing families and individuals of all abilities and ages to travel safely and confidently over Highway 1. Children and youth can enjoy greater independence, and walking, cycling, and rolling have become not only viable options but also inviting choices for residents in the Cedar Village and Loutet neighbourhoods and throughout the City. This investment in connectivity, sustainability, and quality of life will benefit our community for generations to come. It stands as a testament to what we can achieve for residents when we work together with purpose and determination.”
“The Crosscut Bridge provides a safe, accessible connection over Highway 1, and strengthens the broader North Shore cycling and active transportation network,” said Bowinn Ma, MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale, on behalf of Minister of Transportation and Transit Mike Farnworth. “The new overpass links the Cedar Village neighbourhood to Sutherland Secondary School and Loutet Park, making it easier for people to walk, roll and cycle across the community. This is exactly the kind of transportation infrastructure we want to see more of in British Columbia – infrastructure that gives people choices and makes it easier to get where they need to go safely. This project is an example of how our government is investing in infrastructure that makes a real difference in people’s daily lives.”
“TransLink is committed to investing in projects that strengthen communities and make a real difference in people’s everyday lives,” said Kevin Quinn, TransLink CEO. “Through our Local Government Funding Programs, we’re helping our partners turn important projects like the Crosscut Bridge into reality. This new connection will bring neighbourhoods together, improve access to schools and services, and make it easier for people to get where they need to go across the North Shore.”
The Crosscut Bridge has been built with safety and comfort of all users in mind, featuring amenities like built-in lighting, a water fountain, accessible approach pathways and rest areas.
This project supports the City’s long-term transportation plan by expanding the City’s active transportation network, reducing barriers to crossing the
highway, and linking important local and regional destinations. It also supports the City’s 2022 Mobility Strategy and is specifically identified in Council’s 2022–2026 Strategic Plan as a key action for a Connected City.
Mayor Buchanan and members of Council welcomed the community to Loutet Park today to mark the bridge’s opening with a family-friendly afternoon of entertainment and activities and an opportunity to learn more about the new infrastructure.
The bridge is jointly funded through the City, the Government of British Columbia and TransLink.
Background
The Crosscut Bridge (formerly the Casano-Loutet Overpass) is accessible for users of all ages and abilities. The bridge was designed with a gradual, natural curving form extending over the Upper Levels Highway between Loutet Park and the intersection of Casano Drive and Rufus Avenue to ensure proper clearance for the highway, provide accessible grades and create an enjoyable experience.
Features include:
- Accessible approach pathways and a 4.5m-wide concrete walking and rolling surface constructed specifically to support a smooth journey for all users
- Built-in lighting, safety fencing, hand rails, a water fountain, seating and wayfinding signage to ensure seamless connection with local and regional destinations
- Native trees and shrubs to restore the area and improve biodiversity
- Improvements at intersections where paths connect to local streets to help slow traffic and improve safety
Community engagement during design development in 2017 played a key role in shaping the bridge’s final design. Feedback gained through open houses and workshops influenced features such as stair access, lighting, and the approach to restoring vegetation in the area.
Staged construction on the Crosscut Bridge began in mid‑March 2025. In February this year, the project reached a milestone moment with the successful installation of the bridge’s steel structure, which was built in three pieces on Vancouver Island before being transported to site and lifted into place over the highway.
Construction completed in August 2026, with the exception of landscaping work scheduled to be completed in fall (aligned with anticipated lifting of current regional water restrictions).
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Media Contacts:
City of North Vancouver – media@cnv.org
Government of British Columbia – Ministry of Transportation and Transit Media Relations, 250‑356‑8241
TransLink – media@translink.ca