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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