Burnaby Lake Overpass

The C$27.8-million landmark eliminates a longstanding obstacle between the city’s northern and southern trail networks by connecting Burnaby Lake Regional Park and Deer Lake Park. It provides a fully accessible, nearly flat route that avoids steep approach ramps by capitalizing on naturally higher ground on both sides of the highway.

Fast + Epp developed the concept structural design, as an iconic structure featuring intersecting parabolic arches and an interwoven cable network. The bridge features a pair of interlocking arches forming a naturally braced arch system that spans 72 meters and rises 5.7 meters above the highway below. Encapsulated in Canadian weathering steel — chosen for its exceptional durability, longevity, and striking, rust-toned coloring — the overpass offers low-maintenance resilience against the Pacific Northwest’s notoriously wet weather.

The bridge structure was erected on temporary staging at the side of the highway. Over the course of a single night in November 2025, Highway 1 was temporarily closed, medians were removed, and computer-controlled Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) swung the massive structure 90 degrees into its permanent home. The bridge was opened to the public in April 2026.

DBM Vircon’s Scope of Work

DBM Vircon’s bridge detailing team in Vancouver, British Columbia was supported by colleagues in Manila to execute a comprehensive and technically rigorous detailing and modeling scope between 2024 and 2025. Working in close coordination with fabricator Solid Rock Steel and project engineers McElhanney, DBM Vircon delivered:

• Comprehensive 3D Modeling and Detailing: Developed a fully detailed structural steel model comprising 178 tons (or approximately 161.5 metric tonnes) of structural steel across 464 detailed shop drawings. Because the entire bridge was fabricated and assembled as a single structure prior to installation, geometric accuracy during detailing was critical. Any modeling discrepancies could have impacted fit-up, transportation logistics, or the highly choreographed overnight installation.
• Complex Arch and Deck Geometry: Modeled intricate structural sections, including six distinct deck sections and complex interlocking arch assemblies, which required compound miters for anchor bolts that were fabricated longer and trimmed to suit complex angles.
• Advanced Constructibility and Weatherproofing Enhancements: Engineered and detailed specialized modifications, including custom drip angles to manage rainwater runoff along the massive structural trough, ensuring pedestrian comfort during heavy rain.

Project Highlights and Challenges

The successful execution of Burnaby Lake Overpass demanded extraordinary precision, round-the-clock collaboration, and logistical coordination across multiple stakeholders:

• Advanced Cloud Collaboration (using Trimble Connect and Bluebeam): Utilized cloud-based digital environments to seamlessly connect distributed engineering teams across time zones. The team maintained a master RFI tracking system linked directly to model coordinates to eliminate communication bottlenecks.
• Precision Modeling of Complex Geometry: Mastered complex compound miters at the abutment pedestals and delicate 2-inch cable crossing tolerances, ensuring absolute alignment across structural steel, cables, and architectural elements.
• Proactive Clash Detection and RFI Management: Through rigorous in-house modeling and overlay checks against external fabrication components, the team addressed small, yet critical, challenges, such as misplaced lifting lugs, early in the workflow. This prevented costly field rework and held RFI counts to just 23.

The Burnaby Lake Overpass transforms a longstanding transportation barrier into a lasting community asset, showcasing the power of innovative design, advanced steel construction, and seamless project coordination. As a striking new landmark, the bridge delivers safe, accessible connectivity today while preserving flexibility for future Highway 1 expansion.