Queensborough Bridge

Queensborough Bridge
The Queensborough Bridge seen from the south side
Coordinates49°11′47″N 122°56′50″W / 49.196415°N 122.947183°W / 49.196415; -122.947183
CarriesFour lanes of British Columbia Highway 91A, pedestrians and bicycles
CrossesNorth Arm Fraser River
LocaleNew Westminster
OwnerBritish Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Characteristics
DesignArch bridge
Total length924 m
History
DesignerPhillips Barrat and Partners
Constructed byJohn Laing and Son (Canada Ltd.)
Construction cost$4 Million ($37.5 million in 2022)
OpenedAugust 26, 1960[1]
Statistics
Daily traffic81,000 (July 2021)[2]
Location
Map

Queensborough Bridge is a highway bridge in New Westminster, British Columbia. It was built in 1960 by John Laing and Son (Canada) for the City of New Westminster and cost $4 million (equivalent to $37.5 million in 2022). The bridge spans the north arm of the Fraser River for road access from the main part of New Westminster to the suburb of Queensborough at the east end of Lulu Island, giving the bridge its name.

It has since become a part of Highway 91A feeder to Highway 91 to the south. The Queensborough was a toll bridge costing 25 cents to cross until the bridge was bought by the provincial government in November 1966. The last person to pay the toll was then Premier W. A. C. Bennett, who paid 25 cents at 12:01 AM on Sunday, November 19, 1966. [3]

Six spans of the bridge were demolished and replaced in 1984 and 1985 to allow for a curve alignment on its southern approach to Queensborough Connector.[4] In 2003, some adjustments were made to the approach from the New Westminster side. Later in 2009, the interchange with Marine Way and Stewardson Way saw improving, including the trumpet loop being flipped to its current rotation. [5] [6] [7]

  1. ^ "New Bridge Queensborough Replaces 51 Year-Old Span". Vancouver Sun. New Westminster. August 26, 1960. ProQuest 2240513051.
  2. ^ B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (October 13, 2021). "Monthly Volume Calendar - Queensborough South P-16-287NS - NY" (PDF).
  3. ^ Strand, Alf (November 19, 1966). "For Whom Did Tolls Fall? Bennett, Critics Disagree". No. The Sunday Sun. The Vancouver Sun. ProQuest 2240435270.
  4. ^ Province of British Columbia (1985). Minister of Transportation and Highways Report for the Fiscal Year 1984/85 (Report). Victoria: Government of British Columbia. p. 202.
  5. ^ B.C. Ministry of Transportation (April 3, 2009). "BORDER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS COMPLETE". Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  6. ^ B.C. Ministry of Transportation (April 3, 2009). "OVERVIEW OF THE CANADA-BC BORDER INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM". Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  7. ^ MAXAR Technologies (July 2, 2004). Queensborough Bridge, New Westminster, B.C. (Interactive Satellite Photography) (Satellite Photography). New Westminster, British Columbia: Google via Google Earth Pro. Retrieved February 19, 2022.