38 ~ Wednesday, September 17. 1986 - North Shore News

Among British Columbia's major achievements of
the 1980s, che Alex Fraser Bridge and its system of con-
necting highways and interchanges — known as the
Annacis System -~ will take their place asa world class
engineering feat meeting the needs of the province well
into the 21st Century.

In this single project the talent and intelligence of
British Columbia engineers and skilled workers com-
bined to construct what history will recognize asa lega-
cy in strength, safety, and traffic management.

The Alex Fraser Bridge will relieve pressure on the
George Massey Tunnel, and the Pattullo and Port
Mann bridges — making commuting across the Fraser
River fast, less frustrating, and more efficient!

An added benefit will be easier travel between the
U.S. border and the Tsawwassen ferry terminal.

The Annacis System is:

© 32.5 kilometres of new multi-lane highways.

@ 16 kilometres of new and improved connecting
roads.

® 37 bridges.

@ bridge towers scaring 154 metres — 50 storeys —
above the footings.

@ a system for today — and for tomorrow.
And it has meant 1,300 direct jobs at the peak of

construction and more than 2,500 jobs in the supply

and service industry.

Designed for Safety

Rock and sand-filled piers can withstand collision
with a 62,000-ton ship travelling as fast as 12 knots.

RICHMOND

HIGHWAY 99

mm

EIecaeees NEW SYSTEM

Bridge cables can hold twice their anticipated loads.

The bridge has been built to earthquake standards
far in excess of Building Code requirements.

And wind tunnel testing of the bridge design has
proven the bridge is strony enough to withstand winds far
in excess of those ever experienced at the bridge site.

The Annacis System
Six Main Components
Over-all, the system has six main components:

THE MAIN CROSSING over the Fraser River fea-
tures a cable-stayed bridge with a main span of 465
metres, the longest such structure in the world. Including
the approach spans, the bridge is 2,500 metres long.

° 88th AVENUE
Lo | B4th AVENUE
80th AVENUE

72nd AVENUE

112 STREET

pd
aon SAM AVENUE

a
HIGHWAY 99
BOUNDARY
BAY

EXISTING HIGHWAYS == = esem seme UNDER CONSTAUCTION

THE ANNACIS HIGHWAY south of the Fraser
River will provide access to Delta, Surrey, White
Rock, the U.S. border and ferry service to Vancouver
Island.

THE DELTA CONNECTIONS link River Road,
Nordel Way, 72nd Ave., 64th Ave., and a realigned
Highway 10.

THE HIGHWAY NORTH of the main crossing has
full access to the Annacis Island industrial area and the
highway links to the Queensborough Bridge and east-
west highway through Richmond.

THE RICHMOND EAST-WEST freeway will be
completed in 1988.

IMPROVEMENTS have been made to the north
end of the Queensborough Bridge to connect the sys-
tera to the new Marine Way and major roads into New
Westminster.

One of the Highest Structures in B.C.

Height comparison chart:
Alex Fraser Bridge 154 metres

Harbour Ceatre 148 metres

THE ALEX
FRASE

BRIDGE

OPENS 1:00 p.m.
SEPT. 22, 1986

L700
PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA