Lions Gate Bridge Seismic Retrofit
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Project Details
Construction Type:
Seismic retrofit
Awards:
CEBC AWARD OF MERIT
Project Type:
Design-build engineering
Project Leadership:
Alex Sy, P.Eng.
KCB was retained by American Bridge/Surespan JV to provide design-build engineering for the seismic retrofit of the North Approach Viaduct of the Lions Gate Bridge. This was the first major structure to receive a seismic retrofit using the design-build contract format.
KCB also provided engineering assistance to the contractor for the suspension span deck replacement.
- Retrofit scheme had to be designed during a short bid period
Challenges
Solutions
- KCB determined most economical and robust retrofit strategy was to dissipate energy by allowing braced steel support bents to rock by uplifting at baseplate level
- Retrofit included strengthening steel superstructure, additional bracing, concrete tie beams between existing footings, and piles in locations where large liquefaction-induced displacements were anticipated