Mosquito Creek Bridge Replacement
Sign up for project updates

Please provide your email for updates on construction progress, traffic delays and after-hours work.
*
Send me updates for this project
*

Mosquito Creek Bridge Replacement

We're replacing the aging Mosquito Creek Bridge to bring it up to modern seismic standards. This bridge is located on Marine Drive between Fell Ave and Bewicke Ave. It's nearing its end of life, and the long planned construction of a replacement bridge is underway. Once complete, the new bridge will offer significant safety and travel improvements for cyclists, pedestrians, transit users and drivers.

The new bridge will include:

  • 4 lanes of traffic
  • Transit lanes in each direction
  • Sidewalks and protected bike lanes on both sides
  • A new multi-use path under Marine Drive connecting the Mosquito Creek trail

Alternate Routes

If you use Marine Drive regularly, you may want to consider an alternate route. Regular delays are expected during construction, especially during Phase 1. Alternative routes are recommended and include West 2nd Street and West 1st Street for lower level routing and West 16th Street and Larson Road or Highway 1 for upper level routing. 

Note: Trucks are not permitted to use the Mosquito Creek Bridge during construction. Use detour route or Hwy 1.

Click to download full size map

Pedestrians on the southern side of Mosquito Creek are being detoured onto a new temporary bridge across Mosquito Creek. The regular sidewalk on the southern side of the bridge is no longer suitable for pedestrians.

Construction Schedule & Updates

Construction began in February 2020 and will take place in three phases:

Phase 1 | February 18, 2020

Remove and reconstruct southern side of the bridge

  • Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction.
  • Heavy vehicles over 20,000 kg GVM (excluding buses) will be required to use an alternate route.
  • Speed bumps will be installed to slow traffic approaching the bridge.
  • Left turns will not be permitted at Fell Ave.
  • Entry and exiting from Mosquito Creek lane will be restricted.
  • Pedestrians on the southern side should continue to use the pedestrian detour bridge. Pedestrians on the northern side are unaffected. 
  • Cyclists can choose to dismount or ride on sidewalks at slow speed through the construction zone. 
  • Bus stops will be moved to accommodate construction. Refer to onsite signage. 

Completed milestones:

Placement of precast bridge elements
Demolition of existing southern bridge and reinforcement of northern bridge
Redevelopment of creek bed
Piling for new bridge
Offsite construction of precast bridge elements
Removal of remaining utilities from northern bridge

 

Note: there will be short periods during construction where a full closure will be required. To minimize traffic disruption this will be completed overnight or on weekends as required.

Click to see larger image

Phase 2 | Starts September 2020

  • Three lanes of traffic will be accommodated on the newly constructed southern side of the bridge

Phase 3 | Starts early winter 2020

  • Four lanes of traffic will be maintained whenever possible, minor lane closures may take place

The new bridge will include:

  • 4 lanes of traffic
  • Transit lanes in each direction
  • Sidewalks and protected bike lanes on both sides
  • A new multi-use path under Marine Drive connecting the Mosquito Creek trail

The bridge replacement will also enable instream improvements and forest restoration to enhance the biological diversity of this section of the creek.

Click to see larger image

The Mosquito Creek Bridge was the first pre-stressed concrete bridge constructed in Canada in 1952. It was widened in 1973 and 1981 to accommodate the growth of the North Shore community. In 2015, an inspection of the bridge’s condition recommended replacement due to corrosion.

Pre work has been completed on site to remove existing utilities from the bridge. This includes LEC pipes, water mains and telecommunications cabling. This was done to simplify the construction process.

The City will contribute $6.55 million with additional support from TransLink ($1.65 million) and the Federal and Provincial Government ($3.87 million) through the Build Canada’s Small Communities Fund. Additional funding has been requested in the City’s 2020 budget.

Mosquito Creek Bridge in 1952. Photo: Henry R. M. Murray, “Design and Construction of Mosquito Creek Bridge” (thesis submission), February 15, 1953. (British Columbia Historical Federation)

Construction Phases 2 & 3

Phase 2 | Starts September 2020

  • Three lanes of traffic will be accommodated on the newly constructed southern side of the bridge

Phase 3 | Starts early winter 2020

  • Four lanes of traffic will be maintained whenever possible, minor lane closures may take place

New Bridge Design

The new bridge will include:

  • 4 lanes of traffic
  • Transit lanes in each direction
  • Sidewalks and protected bike lanes on both sides
  • A new multi-use path under Marine Drive connecting the Mosquito Creek trail

The bridge replacement will also enable instream improvements and forest restoration to enhance the biological diversity of this section of the creek.

Click to see larger image

Background

The Mosquito Creek Bridge was the first pre-stressed concrete bridge constructed in Canada in 1952. It was widened in 1973 and 1981 to accommodate the growth of the North Shore community. In 2015, an inspection of the bridge’s condition recommended replacement due to corrosion.

Pre work has been completed on site to remove existing utilities from the bridge. This includes LEC pipes, water mains and telecommunications cabling. This was done to simplify the construction process.

The City will contribute $6.55 million with additional support from TransLink ($1.65 million) and the Federal and Provincial Government ($3.87 million) through the Build Canada’s Small Communities Fund. Additional funding has been requested in the City’s 2020 budget.

Mosquito Creek Bridge in 1952. Photo: Henry R. M. Murray, “Design and Construction of Mosquito Creek Bridge” (thesis submission), February 15, 1953. (British Columbia Historical Federation)

Share |