The Golden Ears Bridge is a 1 km, 6 lane road that spans the Fraser River and connects Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows to Langley and Surrey at approximately 200 Street. The rest of the scheme consists of more than 3.5 km of structures including ramps, viaducts, minor bridges and underpasses. More than 13 km of mainline roadway has also been constructed, a large part of it landscaped.
The project has brought close to $1-billion in local construction-related activity to the area and provides an estimated 6,500 person-years of employment. Commuters using the new bridge will save up to 40 minutes per peak-hour round-trip from Maple Ridge to Langley.
The bridge will improve travel times, reduce regional congestion and open up access to employment, markets, services and recreation. The project has provided an interesting and challenging work experience for hundreds of construction professionals, experienced trades people and newcomers to the construction sector.
TransLink CEO Tom Prendergast called it a “Phenomenal accomplishment” and added, “We’re very confident this new bridge will mean more good-paying jobs for the people in the region and to serve as a catalyst for economic growth.”
Awards won
- Gold Award for Project Financing, National Awards 2006 (The Canadian Council for Public Private Partnership)
- North American Deal of the Year (PFI magazine)
- North American PPP Deal of the Year (Project Finance, Euromoney)
- Global Deal of the Year (Infrastructure Journal, United Kingdom)
Please visit the Golden Crossing Constructors Joint Venture website for more information: www.goldenearsbridge.ca