Cambie Street Bridge, one of the Vancouver’s most critical and busiest bridges, will be upgraded to meet modern seismic standards following a combined investment of more than $200 million from the federal government, the City of Vancouver, and TransLink.

The Cambie Street Bridge, which connects the densely populated downtown peninsula with the rest of Vancouver, is located in an active seismic region. The bridge, which opened in 1985, features five vehicle lanes, a two-way bike path and pedestrian walkways. It serves as a major transit route with over 13 million vehicle crossings annually and is also part of TransLink’s Major Road Network (MRN), which ensures the safe and efficient movement of people and goods across the region.

This project will enhance the bridge’s seismic resilience through upgrade and rehabilitation work delivered over multiple phases, reducing potential earthquake damage and repair costs. The upgrades will also enhance public safety and help maintain a reliable transportation network by supporting efficient emergency response and emergency vehicle access, protecting communities and critical infrastructure beneath the bridge, and reducing recovery needs following an earthquake. Over the bridge’s lifespan, these upgrades will reduce future rehabilitation needs and deliver longer term reliability.

Planned improvements include the innovative and effective use of seismic isolation bearings at all 65 bridge piers, modifying the existing expansion joints, seismically upgrading supports at each end of the bridge, and installing soil anchors to strengthen foundations.

In addition to structural upgrades, the project includes transportation upgrades that support long-term sustainability and connectivity, and shoreline naturalization at the north end of the bridge that will pilot a new type of seawall construction designed to be more resilient to sea level rise and coastal flooding.

Work is expected to be completed by 2035.