POV-girders-p19_webThe Gateway Avenue Grade Separation, part of the Port of Vancouver’s ongoing West Vancouver Freight Access project, got an extra lift on November 5, when Apollo Construction of Kennewick, Wash., began installing pipe piles at both ends of the bridge. Additionally, girder placement on the main span was completed in August, while the girders for the remaining two spans will be placed in December and January.

The project, which is projected for completion in May 2013, builds an overpass that separates vehicle traffic from train traffic below. The new bridge will allow cars and trucks to travel over the port’s growing internal rail corridor and more easily access two of the port’s five marine terminals. The existing Gateway Avenue will be partially realigned to the west and elevated over the railroad tracks, resulting in an S-shaped roadway.

The bridge part of the project will cross two sets of rail tracks, but instead of building two separate bridges, an innovative engineering approach will result in one large bridge being constructed with a middle support column, resulting in a three-span bridge. In addition, soil and concrete panels were used to build structural earth walls on either side of the bridge, which allow vehicles to climb to the height of the bridge gradually.

Future project work includes constructing a bridge “deck” following placement of the girders. Traffic barriers, sidewalks, railings and electrical work will take place following girder placement and until the project is complete. Final paving, pavement marking (striping) and seeding of exposed soil areas will complete the project.