In the early hours of Sunday, November 9, construction crews for the City of Burnaby shut down a 10-kilometre stretch of Highway 1 in Burnaby. Their goal: to lift a fully built, 400-tonne overpass to its new location, linking two landmark natural areas in Burnaby for pedestrians and cyclists to enjoy for years to come.
This feat of engineering required precise coordination. Crews first removed the concrete median, then laid down protective sheets on the ground. They spread a thick layer of gravel over the road. Finally, the closing act: two computer-controlled platforms swung the massive structure 90 degrees to its new home spanning the highway.
Burnaby’s north-south connections have historically been challenging, especially for non-drivers. Cyclists and pedestrians need to navigate the Kensington crossing, a chaotic intersection with multiple lanes of merging traffic and ramps. The new pedestrian-cyclist overpass, which opens early next year, offers a safe, picturesque alternative.
Planning for the overpass began in 2019. Originally, four options were considered. After extensive engineering and geotechnical studies, and consulting with residents, the City chose this design for its geotechnical safety, low environmental impact, and cost effectiveness.
The overpass–measuring 5.7 metres above the highway–is higher than the Kensington crossing nearby. It uses Canadian weathered steel, a special type of steel popular for outdoor uses for its long life and durability. The overpass will open to the public in early 2026.
The project is being delivered by Jacob Brothers and received funding from the provincial and federal governments and TransLink.
Learn more: Burnaby Lake Overpass
