Overnight work on the north approach to the Lions Gate Bridge will get underway this summer to smooth out the road surface at each of the steel deck joints.
The project will go to tender this month and work is expected to begin in July. The work involves removing the bolted steel link joints that cross the roadway on the north approach and replacing them with splice joints welded right to the steel deck.
Work will take place at 20 locations on the 670-metre-long north approach viaduct. It’s expected to take up to 10 weeks to complete, weather dependent. The work will be done at night to minimize traffic impacts.
Drivers and other bridge users can expect nightly lane and sidewalk closures during construction. The ministry will have more information on the specific timing of the lane closures once a contractor is on board and their schedule is finalized. The construction contractor will be required to apply mitigation measures to avoid excessive noise though some noise will be inevitable.
“The long-term reliability of the Lions Gate Bridge is important for all of us who live on the North Shore,” said North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA Bowinn Ma. “This work on the bridge’s north approach will stop water from getting into the deck joints, and significantly reduce the risk of ongoing corrosion. It will also provide a smoother surface for drivers and cyclists.”
The ministry will soon provide more details about this planned work.