Sea Island Connector

The Sea Island Connector, a.k.a. Airport Connector Bridge,[1] is a crossing over the middle arm of the Fraser River in Metro Vancouver.

Sea Island Connector
Coordinates49°11′33″N 123°08′12″W
CarriesThree lanes from Bridgeport Road
CrossesMiddle Arm Fraser River
LocaleRichmond, BC
Maintained byProvince of BC
History
Opened2001

History

Project

Completed in August 2001, the concrete beams, atop the exposed steel piles driven into the river, support the concrete girders. This low-level three-lane bridge, parallel to the Moray Bridge, carries westbound traffic toward the Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for BC owns and maintains the structure.[1][2] However, the joint exercise was a partnership of the Vancouver International Airport Authority, the province, the federal government, and the City of Richmond.

Connector Bridge (left) and Moray Bridge (right).

The $40m project also comprised a vehicle overpass, interchanges on Sea Island to Grant McConachie Way and Russ Baker Way, and enhancements to Bridgeport Road and the Highway 99 interchange. The collaboration improved YVR access from Richmond and the highway,[3] which includes the Oak Street Bridge.

Roadways

Formerly, Airport Rd. (north) leading to Grauer Rd., and Cessna Dr., branched at the foot of the Moray Bridge. Airport Rd. (north) became a cul-de-sac. Cessna Dr. access reconfigured to Russ Baker Way.

The Moray Bridge had been a single lane each way that was subject to traffic congestion from vehicle accidents, swing span openings for boats, or rush hour. Although commercial vessels largely avoid the middle arm, it is popular with pleasure craft. Yacht masts can clear the new bridge when travelling to the marinas immediately downstream.

During November and December 2019, the consecutive Russ Baker Way overpass experienced lane closures for concrete rehabilitation, better drainage, and bearing replacement.[4][5]

Transit
Ongoing routes, former routes, and closest stops

The following TransLink services continue to use the bridge:[6]

  • N10 Downtown / Richmond–Brighouse Station (night bus; rename possibly Sep 2009)[7]
    0N10 Richmond Centre / Downtown (night bus; Sep 2004)[8][9]
  • 412 Bridgeport Station /Sea Island South (Aug 2018 renumbered)[10]
    0C92 Sea Island South / Bridgeport Station (Sep 2009 eastern terminus)[11]


The following routes once used the bridge:

  • 98 B-Line (Aug 2001 Brighouse eastern terminus;[12] Sep 2009 discontinued)[11]
  • 301 Airport Station / Newton Exchange (Sep 2004;[8] Nov 2005 Richmond Centre western terminus)[13]
  • 404 Four Road (existed before the bridge);[14] Oct 2001 Airport Station western terminus;[15] Sep 2009 Richmond–Brighouse station western terminus)[11]
  • 620 Tsawwassen Ferry / Airport Station (Apr 2004;[16] Sep 2009 Bridgeport Station western terminus)[11]
  • C90 Sea Island North / Bridgeport Station (Sep 2009 extended;[11] Sep 2012 discontinued)[17]


The nearest bus stops are N10 and 412 (see above) at Airport Station on Sea Island, and east of the bridge on Bridgeport Rd.[6]

Templeton station is the closest rail transit.


See also


References
  1. "YVR 2037 Master Plan Phase 2" (PDF). www.yvr.ca.
  2. "Transportation Agencies". www.richmond.ca.
  3. "Airport Connector bridge opening". www.canadianshipper.com.
  4. "Russ Baker Way overpass retrofit". www.yvr.ca.
  5. "Russ Baker Way overpass retrofit". www.ca.linkedin.com.
  6. "Bus routes". www.translink.ca.
  7. "Buzzer blog, 20 Dec 2010". www.translink.ca. TransLink.
  8. "The Buzzer, 3 Sep 2004" (PDF). www.translink.ca. TransLink.
  9. "The Buzzer, 24 Apr 2006" (PDF). www.translink.ca. TransLink.
  10. "Buzzer blog, 30 Aug 2018". www.translink.ca. TransLink.
  11. "The Buzzer, Canada Line opening, 4 Sep 2009". www.translink.ca. TransLink.
  12. "The Buzzer, 8 Aug 2001" (PDF). www.translink.ca. TransLink.
  13. "The Buzzer, 25 Nov 2005" (PDF). www.translink.ca. TransLink.
  14. "The Buzzer, 25 May 1984" (PDF). www.translink.ca. Metro Transit.
  15. "TransLink Media, 15 Oct 2001" (PDF). www.translink.ca.
  16. "The Buzzer, 30 Apr 2004" (PDF). www.translink.ca. TransLink.
  17. "The Buzzer, 31 Aug 2012". www.translink.ca. TransLink.


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