The Port Mann Bridge
A new bridge that replaces the old bridge across the Fraser River, and connects the Fraser Valley with Vancouver's Lower Mainland. Since the Fraser is a working river, the bridge height requirements guarantee a wide-angle view of the river and the coastal mountains of the west coast.
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| Pt. Mann Bridge old and new, Vancouver, by DG Hudson |
The old Pt. Mann (orange girders) is seen to the right in the photo above. The elegant design of the new bridge dominates the image and is less daunting now that the falling giant icicle problems have been addressed.
The old bridge is destined to be dismantled, forcing use of the new TOLL bridge. There are discounts for drivers, at least for 2013. The discounted price is fair, but will it remain for registered users? We'll see what happens at the end of the year.
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| Pt. Mann Bridge Cable Patterns, Vancouver, by DG Hudson |
The cable pattern photo, above, was taken on a grey winter day, which emphasizes the patterns of the lines and the monotone colour. Notice the way the camera captures the effect of the overlapping cables on the right. The vertical lines emphasize the height.
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| Bridge Tower Cables, Pt. Mann Bridge, Vancouver, by DG Hudson |
Dizzying heights and patterns always intrigue me; the photo above is taken looking up at the tower. I haven't rotated the image. Clouds behind the tower enhance the silhouette effect.
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| Pt. Mann Bridge, Vancouver, in the Fog, by DG Hudson |
The disappearing act that occurs when the fog rolls in (photo above); too bad there isn't more lighting on this bridge to highlight the cable design. It would be useful at night when the bridge is dark, and only the lower cables can be seen. Wouldn't this help visibility and safety?
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| Pt. Mann Bridge HOV lane, old bridge on right, by DG Hudson |
Life is good in the HOV lane, and this works really well. Too bad the HOV has to be monitored. Some drivers don't seem to get it (the math has to be 1+1=2 minimum). We've seen what I call 'lane jumpers' dipping into this lane when it suits them. Rules, what rules?
A final comment, I don't see the usefulness of the HUGE billboard sign as you approach the Pt. Mann Bridge from the Fraser Valley side. It's BIG, it's colourful and it's distracting. I have yet to see anything but ADS on it, where I would have expected to see news about road conditions due to weather. This is one of the uglier aspects of the new bridge, IMO of course.
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Do you like bridges? How about patterns, do you look for those in images? Let me know if you have a favourite bridge. (anywhere in the world or in your own country) Please share in the comments, and thanks for taking the time to stop by.
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Cool photos. The geometry and angles are really interesting, especially against the clouds like that.
ReplyDeleteThanks, LG, I have a fondness for repeating patterns.
DeleteThat bridge is similar to one that is in Charleston, SC. (And it replaced a really old bridge that was a couple points from being a zero in safety.) The lines on those types of bridges are mesmerizing.
ReplyDeleteI love to hear about other bridges, Alex. That's interesting that you have a similar one with cables. Yes, I'm easily mesmerized.
DeleteD.G. - These are just amazing...I've yet to drive over this new bridge but one day I'm sure to. I do travel the highway in the summer months to the beautiful Cariboo so I will be sure to take it in as I pass under those cables.
ReplyDeleteI gather you were the passenger on this outing... :)
I look forward to seeing what's up next in your Vancouver Views segments.
Cheers, Jenny
PS - The view is so much different from outer space...still doing my galactic thingy! (little grin added here)
Thanks, Jenny, perhaps I can surprise you with something new. . .we'll see. Glad you like the photos. Keep in touch while you're traveling.
DeleteGreat cables, Batman! Nice shots. I'm not a big fan of toll bridges, and when I was a kid the Corononado Bridge here in San Diego cost a couple bucks to cross -- but it's been free for maybe 20 years now.
ReplyDeleteWe don't like toll bridges here either, Milo, but the provincial powers-that-be have seen fit to start using them, even as they tear down the old FREE bridge which was still working fine, efficiently reducing the communter's options.
DeleteThe company (Google this bridge) wants to charge more than most of the bridges in the States.
That's commuter's options, btw, not 'communter'.
DeleteThat's lovely, and it reminds me of the Sundial bridge here in Redding, CA.
ReplyDeleteBe well, DG.
xoRobyn
Thanks, Robyn, I like hearing about all the bridges that are similar to this one. You stay well, too.
DeleteGreat photos!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Charmaine, glad you like them. You'll usually find photos on my blogposts.
DeleteNice bridge. Portland had many. Here on the dry side, we do not. :) That would be a distracting billboard.
ReplyDelete