Coast Meridian Overpass

Completed in 2009, the Coast Meridian Overpass connects North and South Port Coquitlam, BC. At the time of completion, it held three North American records: the longest single-span launched steel bridge, crossing over three spans at 410 feet each; the heaviest launched bridge at over 5,700 tons; and the first cable-stayed launched steel bridge on the continent.

The project presented major challenges — limited pier accessibility and reduced capacity due to a fully operational 55-track CPR train yard running directly below, combined with a very shallow bridge profile of approximately 10 feet. To launch this massive structure across multiple spans, KWH deployed temporary stay-cables and a 130-foot temporary launching nose.

KWH's proprietary hydraulic launching system was used to push the bridge continuously from one side to the other — a total travel distance of over 1,600 feet — making this one of the most technically ambitious bridge launches ever completed in North America.