Dinsmore Bridge

Last updated

Dinsmore Bridge
Dinsmore Bridge aerial.jpg
Coordinates 49°10′44″N123°08′56″W / 49.178831°N 123.14882°W / 49.178831; -123.14882 Coordinates: 49°10′44″N123°08′56″W / 49.178831°N 123.14882°W / 49.178831; -123.14882
CarriesTwo lanes of Gilbert Road and sidewalk
Crosses Middle Arm Fraser River
Locale Richmond
Owner Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Characteristics
Design girder bridge
Total length300 m
History
OpenedAugust 15, 1969 [1]
Location
Dinsmore Bridge

The Dinsmore Bridge is a crossing over the middle arm of the Fraser River, and a former section of River Rd., in Metro Vancouver.

Contents

History

Dinsmore Island

In the 1870s, John Brough, who acquired this island adjacent to Sea Island, built a small house and farmed what became Brough Island. Hugh Boyd purchased the 210-acre property, but resold to John Errington, who dyked and drained the land in the 1880s. [2] The Goodmurphy cannery, which opened in 1894, [3] was incorporated the following year as the Dinsmore Island Canning Co. by John Dinsmore, M.B. Wilkinson, W.D. Goodmurphy, and Caleb Goodmurphy. [4] The cannery presence renamed the location to Dinsmore Island. [5] In the early 1900s, BC Packers acquired the cannery along with many others along the arms of the Fraser. [6] The plant was demolished in 1913. [7]

In 1920, Bob Doherty purchased Dinsmore Island and Pheasant Island in a tax sale. Clearing the neglected land, he maintained a dairy herd, and tenant farmers grew sugar beet and peas. Doherty also arranged the construction of a bridge from Sea Island, via Pheasant Island at the eastern end of Dinsmore Island. [8] In 1939, the federal government expropriated the farm for airport expansion, and the Doherty family moved to Ladner. [9] Channel filling amalgamated Pheasant Island into Dinsmore Island, which in turn absorbed into Sea Island by 1952. [7]

Dinsmore Bridge

The federal Department of Transport called tenders for the bridge in 1968, and for the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) approach roads on Sea Island in 1969, describing the location as Dinsmore Island and the crossing as the Dinsmore Island Bridge. [10] The bridge costed about $550,000, [11] but the whole project appears to have totalled $845,000. [12] The City of Richmond extended Gilbert Rd. to the southern shore, at a cost of $180,000, [11] which included bridging the Lansdowne Canal. [13] [14]

Dinsmore-bridge.jpg

The drab concrete structure, which stands on a series of concrete pillars, opened without ceremony on August 15, 1969. [1] [11] Fears it would be tolled never eventuated. [15] YVR owns and maintains this low-level two-lane bridge, with a pedestrian sidewalk on the west side. [16] Being federal property, signage is in both official languages. Although immediately relieving the Moray Bridge, the 1975 opening of the Arthur Laing Bridge, further increased traffic volumes. The two lanes of traffic from Russ Baker Way merging into one lane to cross the Dinsmore, caused rush hour congestion. Although the widening of Russ Baker Way to accommodate the 1993 opening of the No. 2 Road Bridge initially reduced the left turn to a single lane, [11] further widening has returned the double turn lanes. The bridge provides the most direct access to Richmond Hospital and the WorkSafeBC headquarters, and prior to 1993, served all west Richmond traffic.

On October 11, 2006, the bridge closed for several days after a truck on River Road, carrying a crane to the Oval site, damaged eight pre-stressed concrete girders on the underside of the bridge. [17] Re-opening October 13, weight and speed restrictions were temporarily in place. [18] The posted clearance is 4.3 metres (14.1 ft). [19]

In 2011, a Beechcraft King Air 100 crash landed near the Russ Baker Way intersection. The two pilots died from burns. [20] [21]

In 2014, a novice driver struck and killed a pedestrian, who was standing at the Russ Baker Way intersection waiting to cross. The driver, no longer in Canada, has a warrant out for his arrest. [22] A memorial motorcycle ride takes place on each anniversary. [23]

During 2017–2018, unidentified parties tossed plastic bags full of human excrement onto the bridge. [24]

YVR has a goal to seismically upgrade the bridge, or build a wider replacement to better accommodate vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. [16]

South bank redevelopment

During 2014–2015, River Road was extended eastward along the former CP right-of way to the south end of the bridge. A new ramp beside the bridge linked this road to its existing foreshore alignment. [25] The city intends to continue the four-lane road along the right-of way for 1.5 kilometres (0.9 mi) to Capstan Way. From east of the bridge, the emerging 37-acre waterfront Lulu Island Park will replace the existing foreshore commercial infrastructure and paving. [26] By 2017, the city had purchased most of the 28 acres of industrial land. [27] To the immediate west of the bridge, construction has begun on a three-tower residential complex. [28]

See also



Footnotes

  1. 1 2 Vancouver Sun Staff (August 21, 1969). "New Dinsmore Island Bridge 'Shortcut to Airport'". Vancouver Sun. Vancouver. Retrieved February 21, 2022. Construction barriers on the four lane bridge...were dropped on Friday
  2. ↑ Keen 2002, pp. 8–9.
  3. ↑ The Daily Colonist, May 13, 1894
  4. ↑ The Daily Colonist, May 17, 1895
  5. ↑ Keen 2002, p. 8.
  6. ↑ Keen 2002, p. 26.
  7. 1 2 "Island City by Nature – Richmond's Islands". www.richmondarchives.ca.
  8. ↑ Keen 2002, p. 22.
  9. ↑ Keen 2002, p. 23.
  10. ↑ The Daily Colonist: October 30, 1968 & April 9, 1969
  11. 1 2 3 4 Dawe 1996, p. 68.
  12. ↑ "Vancouver history". www.vancouverhistory.ca.
  13. ↑ "Images: Bridge construction & Lansdowne Canal". www.richmondarchives.ca.
  14. ↑ "Image: Northward on Gilbert Rd". www.richmond.ca. p. No. 40.
  15. ↑ Dawe 1996, p. 69.
  16. 1 2 "YVR 2037 Master Plan Phase 2" (PDF). www.yvr.ca.
  17. ↑ "Vancouver Sun, 6 Oct 2006" – via PressReader.
  18. ↑ "CKNW News, 13 Oct 2006". www.cknw.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007.
  19. ↑ "Height restrictions, Richmond". www.richmond.ca.
  20. ↑ "CBC News, 28 Oct 2011". www.cbc.ca.
  21. ↑ "Vancouver Sun, 7 Jul 2016" – via PressReader.
  22. ↑ "Richmond News, 29 Jul 2019". www.richmond-news.com.
  23. ↑ "The Daily Colonist, 23 Jul 2018". www.timescolonist.com.
  24. ↑ "Richmond News, 31 Oct 2018". www.richmond-news.com.
  25. ↑ "Richmond News, 7 Aug 2014". www.richmond-news.com.
  26. ↑ "Daily Hive, 19 Sep 2018". www.dailyhive.com.
  27. ↑ "Vancouver Courier, 1 Aug 2017". www.vancourier.com.
  28. ↑ "Mayoral address, 28 Feb 2019". www.businessinrichmond.ca.


Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richmond, British Columbia</span> City in British Columbia, Canada

Richmond is a coastal city in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada. It occupies almost the entirety of Lulu Island, between the two estuarine distributaries of the Fraser River. Encompassing the adjacent Sea Island and several other smaller islands and uninhabited islets to its north and south, it neighbours Vancouver and Burnaby on the Burrard Peninsula to the north, New Westminster and Annacis Island to the east, Delta to the south, and the Strait of Georgia to the west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vancouver International Airport</span> Airport in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada

Vancouver International Airport is an international airport located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, serving the city of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland region. It is located 12 km (7.5 mi) from Downtown Vancouver. It is the second busiest airport in Canada by passenger traffic, behind Toronto Pearson International Airport, and the second busiest airport in the Pacific Northwest region, behind Seattle–Tacoma International Airport. As a trans-Pacific hub, the airport has more direct flights to China than any other airport in North America or Europe. It is a hub for Air Canada and WestJet, and an operating base for Air Transat. Vancouver International Airport is one of eight Canadian airports that have US Border Pre-clearance facilities. It is also one of the few major international airports to have a terminal for scheduled floatplanes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arthur Laing</span> Canadian politician

Arthur Laing,, a Canadian politician, was actively involved with the BC Liberals, but his primary achievements were federally as a Liberal member of parliament. He served in the cabinets of prime ministers Lester B. Pearson and Pierre Trudeau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arthur Laing Bridge</span> Bridge in Richmond, Vancouver

The Arthur Laing Bridge is a crossing over the north arm of the Fraser River, and several minor roads, in Metro Vancouver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knight Street Bridge</span> Bridge in Richmond, Vancouver

The Knight Street Bridge is a crossing over the north arm of the Fraser River, the Canadian National Railway (CNR) line, and several roads, in Metro Vancouver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oak Street Bridge</span> Bridge in Vancouver-Richmond

The Oak Street Bridge is a crossing over the north arm of the Fraser River, the Canada Line, and several roads, in Metro Vancouver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moray Bridge</span> Bridge in Richmond

The Moray Bridge, also known as the Moray Channel Bridge, and formerly the Middle Arm Bridge, is a crossing over the middle arm of the Fraser River in Metro Vancouver. Richard Moody, who would name geographical features, such as this channel, after acquaintances, honoured Jonathan Moray (1824–84), a sergeant in the Corps of Royal Engineers, and later the New Westminster police chief.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sea Island Connector</span> Bridge in Richmond, BC

The Sea Island Connector, is a crossing over the middle arm of the Fraser River in Metro Vancouver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Airport station (TransLink)</span>

Airport station was a TransLink public transit exchange on Sea Island, Richmond, in Metro Vancouver. Most bus operations using the location ceased September 7, 2009, two and a half weeks after the opening of the Canada Line, when the exchange downgraded to a regular bus stop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sea Island (British Columbia)</span> Island in the Fraser River estuary in the city of Richmond, British Columbia, Canada

Sea Island is an island in the Fraser River estuary in the city of Richmond, British Columbia. It is located south of the city of Vancouver and north and west of Lulu Island. Sea Island is the home to Vancouver International Airport (YVR), a nature conservation area, and a permanent resident population of 814, most of which live in the neighbourhood of Burkeville. A small part of the island is under the administration of the Musqueam Indian Band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transportation in Vancouver</span>

Transportation in Vancouver, British Columbia, has many of the features of modern cities worldwide. Unlike many large metropolises, Vancouver has no freeways into or through the downtown area. A proposed freeway through the downtown was rejected in the 1960s by a coalition of citizens, community leaders and planners. This event "signalled the emergence of a new concept of the urban landscape" and has been a consistent element of the city's planning ever since.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No. 2 Road Bridge</span> Bridge across the Middle Arm of the Fraser River in British Columbia, Canada

The No. 2 Road Bridge is a crossing over the middle arm of the Fraser River, and River Rd., in Metro Vancouver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sea Island Centre station</span> Metro Vancouver SkyTrain station

Sea Island Centre is an at-grade station on the Canada Line of Metro Vancouver's SkyTrain rapid transit system. The station is located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CNR Bridge</span> Bridge in Burnaby-Richmond

Opened in 1931, the Canadian National Railway (CNR) steel truss swing span railway bridge over the north arm of the Fraser River in Metro Vancouver links Burnaby with Richmond and the south arm Vancouver Fraser Port Authority facilities on Lulu Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marpole Bridge</span> Bridge in Marpole–Richmond

The Marpole CP Rail Bridge is a partially dismantled crossing over the north arm of the Fraser River, and River Dr., in Metro Vancouver.

Kildonan is an unincorporated community in the Alberni Inlet-Barkley Sound region of the west coast of southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The former steamboat landing and ferry dock is on the east shore of Uchuchklesit Inlet, which branches northwest of the lower reaches of Alberni Inlet. Adjacent to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, the locality is by road and ferry about 120 kilometres (75 mi) southwest of Port Alberni.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Vancouver Airport</span> Shopping mall in British Columbia, Canada

McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Vancouver Airport is an outlet mall on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia. It is located in close proximity to Vancouver International Airport. It currently has around 80 retailers over 340,000 square feet.

The Vancouver Greenway Network is a collection of greenways across Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Greenways are streets where pedestrians and cyclists are prioritized over motorized vehicles, through structures such as road closures and road diverters to prevent or limit motor vehicle traffic, widened sidewalk-promenades, narrowed road space, speed restrictions, bike lanes, raised sidewalks and speed bumps. The City of Vancouver hopes to create and maintain the trend of constructing new greenways to establish a network where, potentially, every citizen could access a city greenway within a 25-minute walking or a 10-minute cycling distance of their home.

The Marpole Bridge (1889–1957), a.k.a. Eburne Bridge, North Arm Bridge, Sea Island Bridge, or Middle Arm Bridge, was consecutive crossings over the north and middle arms of the Fraser River in Metro Vancouver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fraser Street Bridge (1894)</span> Bridge in Sunset-Richmond

The Fraser St. Bridge (1894–1974), also known as the Fraser Ave. Bridge, North Arm Bridge, No. 5 Rd. Bridge, or Twigg Island Bridge, was a crossing over the north arm of the Fraser River in Metro Vancouver.

References


This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.