A floating structure across Okanagan Lake

Highway 97 runs through the Okanagan region of British Columbia and crosses Okanagan Lake at Kelowna. By year 2000 an existing 3 lane floating bridge, opened in 1958, was in need of replacement due to severe traffic congestion and significant deterioration. Traffic volumes in excess of 50,000 vehicles/day were causing substantial delays crossing the only bridge across the 135 kilometre long lake. Delays were compounded by the requirement for the bridge to be temporarily closed to accommodate marine traffic. The Province of British Columbia examined alternatives to address the issues of a highway crossing Okanagan Lake and established project objectives to address safety, traffic capacity, tolling, marine traffic, pedestrians and cyclists. The project ruled out rehabilitation and then focused on a new crossing of the kilometre wide lake. After examining cable stayed and tunnel options a combined floating and elevated structure was selected as the preferred solution to meet all project objectives. The bridge was delivered as a Public Private Partnership DBFO project with SNC Lavalin selected as the Concessionaire in June 2005 with a design/construction cost of $(Cdn)144.5 Million. The 5 lane bridge was completed in May 2008, 3 months ahead of schedule and on budget.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://www.piarc.org/en/order-library/13949-en-Proceedings%20of%20the%20XXIVth%20World%20Road%20Congress,%20Mexico%20-%202011.htm
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Alternate title: William R Bennett Bridge - A floating structure across Okanagan Lake. Abstract reprinted with permission of the World Road Association – PIARC.
• Corporate Authors:

  World Road Association (PIARC)

  La Grande Arche, Paroi Nord, Niveau 5
  F-92055 La Defense Cedex,   France 
• Authors:
  • Buckle, J
• Conference:
  • 24th World Road Congress
  • Location: Mexico City , Mexico
  • Date: 2011-9-26 to 2011-9-30
• Publication Date: 2011

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: 12p
• Monograph Title: 24th World Road Congress Proceedings: Roads for a Better Life: Mobility, Sustainability and Development

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge construction; Bridge design; Floating structures; Pontoon bridges
• Geographic Terms: British Columbia; Lake Okanagan
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I53: Construction of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01523536
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 2840602679
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 28 2014 10:52AM