
12th International Conference on
Short and Medium Span Bridges
Vancouver, British Columbia
August 4-7, 2026
Technical Tours
SMSB 26 will be featuring 3 technical tours. All technical tours will take place Wednesday, August 4, 2026 from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. Please see below for details on each tour.
stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge Site Tour
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Date: Wednesday, August 4, 2026
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Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM ​​
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The stal̓əwÌ“asÉ™m Bridge replaces the existing Pattullo Bridge with a modern four‑lane crossing of the Fraser River between New Westminster and Surrey, designed for future widening to six lanes. Its total length is approximately 1,235 metres, including about 530 metres of cable‑supported spans and a 332‑metre main span carried by a 167‑metre tower founded on approximately 70–80 metre deep steel piles engineered to resist liquefaction and lateral spreading.
The bridge is designed for a 100‑year service life and to withstand vessel‑impact forces from ships up to 60,000 DWT navigating the Fraser River. To meet high seismic performance objectives, the structure incorporates large lead‑rubber seismic isolation bearings that reduce earthquake forces and maintain lifeline functionality during the 2,475‑year design event. To accommodate major seismic movement, the bridge uses high‑movement modular expansion joints capable of approximately ±1,800 mm longitudinal and ±1,200 mm transverse displacement through an internal fuse mechanism. A comprehensive seismic structural health monitoring system is integrated. Aerodynamic behaviour was confirmed through extensive sectional and full‑bridge wind‑tunnel testing to ensure stability against vortex shedding, galloping, and flutter, supported by aerodynamic countermeasures such as wind noses. The stay‑cable system uses a semi‑harp arrangement with parallel strand bundles ranging from 23 to 80 strands per stay, supported by triaxial dampers for vibration control and equipped with a sliding‑chain ice‑removal system for winter conditions. The deck uses full‑depth precast concrete panels with stainless reinforcement, improving durability and expediting construction.
Holdom Overpass Site Tour
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Date: Wednesday, August 4, 2026
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Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM ​​
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The Holdom Overpass Project in Burnaby, British Columbia, near the Holdom SkyTrain Station, is a representative example of a modern urban infrastructure project where client expectations and numerous site constraints present significant technical and logistical challenges. While the design is governed by seismic demands and challenging soil conditions, many key decisions have also been driven by schedule constraints, cost effectiveness, material efficiency, and constructability considerations. The project comprises three bridge structures: (1) the Holdom Overpass Main Bridge, a 355 m long multi-span concrete girder bridge; (2) the Sunken Engine Creek Bridge; and (3) the Still Creek Multi-Use Path Pedestrian Bridge. Participants will have the opportunity to observe the construction of contemporary bridge structures firsthand and gain insight into the diverse factors influencing bridge design and engineering decision-making in a complex urban environment.

Artistic Rendering of the New Holdom Overpass in Burnaby, BC (Photo courtesy of VFPA)
A Walking Tour of Vancouver's Iconic Granville Bridge
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Date: Wednesday, August 4, 2026
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Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM ​​
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The Granville Street Bridge is a critical transportation link between South Vancouver and the downtown core. The bridge was constructed in 1954 and designed to carry eight lanes of traffic over False Creek and Granville Island. The iconic bridge has required rehabilitation and retrofits over its life - portions of the bridge deck were reprogrammed to significantly improve active transportation into Downtown. We will discuss technical features of the bridge as well as seismic retrofit, rehabilitation, and modification works over the years. The Burrard Bridge, built in the 1930s, will be well visible during our walk, and its story will also be told. We will start the walking tour at the conference venue (Sheraton Wall Centre) and walk to and across the Granville Bridge, ending the tour on Granville Island, Vancouver’s largest tourist destination. The total walk will be about 3 km in length and will be on paved surfaces.