The Moray Bridge, also known as the Moray Channel Bridge, and formerly the Middle Arm Bridge, is a crossing over the middle arm of the Fraser River in

Metro Vancouver The Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD), or simply Metro Vancouver, is a Canadian political subdivision and corporate entity representing the metropolitan area of Greater Vancouver, designated by provincial legislation as one of the 28 ...

Richard Moody Richard Clement Moody Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Military Merit of France (13 February 1813 – 31 March 1887) was a British governor, engineer, architect and soldier. He is best known for being the founder and the first Lieutenant ...

, who would name geographical features, such as this channel, after acquaintances, honoured Jonathan Moray (1824–84), a sergeant in the

Corps of Royal Engineers The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually called the Royal Engineers (RE), and commonly known as the ''Sappers'', is a corps of the British Army. It provides military engineering and other technical support to the British Armed Forces and is heade ...

, and later the

New Westminster New Westminster (colloquially known as New West) is a city in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada, and a member municipality of the Metro Vancouver Regional District. It was founded by Major-General Richard Moody as the capi ...

police chief.

History

Structure

Opened in July 1957, the same date as the Oak Street Bridge, these links replaced the Marpole Bridge (road). The new configuration created a more circuitous route between Vancouver and

Vancouver International Airport Vancouver International Airport is an international airport located on Sea Island in Richmond, British Columbia, serving the city of Vancouver and the Lower Mainland region. It is located from Downtown Vancouver. It is the second busie ...

(YVR), not restored until the

Arthur Laing Bridge The Arthur Laing Bridge is a crossing over the north arm of the Fraser River, and several minor roads, in Metro Vancouver. History Proposal The closing of the original Marpole Bridge in 1957 created a more circuitous route between Vancouver and ...

opened in 1975. The concrete and steel second bridge across the Moray Channel cost about $1m, of which the federal government contributed $400,000. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for BC owns and maintains this low-level two-lane bridge. The centre swing span is 53 metres, and the approaches are 170 metres on

Lulu Island Lulu Island is the name of the largest island in the estuary of the Fraser River, located south of Vancouver, British Columbia, and the second-most populous island in British Columbia, after Vancouver Island. The city of Richmond occupies mos ...

, and 124 metres on Sea Island. Within a few years of construction, scouring required repairing and surrounding the protection piers with rock. The expansion joints were repaired in 1962–63. Attached to the western approach, the tender house was replaced the following year. This small building houses the human operator of the swing-span controls. In 1980–81, major pier protection was undertaken.

Roadways

Prior to the 1969 opening of the

Dinsmore Bridge The Dinsmore Bridge is a crossing over the middle arm of the Fraser River, and a former section of River Rd., in Metro Vancouver. History Dinsmore Island In the 1870s, John Brough, who acquired this island adjacent to Sea Island, built a small ...

, the Moray Bridge was the only crossing in existence. Consequently, when the span malfunctioned, as it did twice in 1961, traffic could be trapped for several hours. The non-arrival of passengers and crew delayed some airport flights. Mechanical and electrical issues continue to plague the span. The single lane each way, 1957–2001, was subject to traffic congestion from vehicle accidents, swing span openings for boats, or rush hour volumes. Linking Sea Island Way on Lulu Island and Miller Rd on Sea Island, the roadway intersected Airport Rd. On construction in the late 1970s, Russ Baker Way became the new intersection, making Airport Rd. (south) a cul-de-sac. Prior to 2001, Airport Rd. (north) leading to Grauer Rd., and Cessna Dr., branched at the foot of the bridge. Following the 2001 opening of the

Sea Island Connector The Sea Island Connector, is a crossing over the middle arm of the Fraser River in Metro Vancouver. History Project Completed in August 2001, the concrete beams, atop the exposed steel piles driven into the river, support the concrete girders. Th ...

, the Moray Bridge has carried only eastbound traffic from YVR. The only unrestricted vehicle access is from

Grant McConachie Way Grant McConachie Way is a three-to-six lane expressway in Richmond and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Named for aviator Grant McConachie, it is the primary access road into Vancouver International Airport on Sea Island. It is also one of ...

Footnotes

References

* {{Crossings navbox , structure = Crossings , place = Fraser River , bridge = Moray Bridge , bridge signs = , upstream =

, upstream signs = , downstream =

, downstream signs = Swing bridges in Canada Bridges in Greater Vancouver Buildings and structures in Richmond, British Columbia Bridges over the Fraser River Road bridges in British Columbia Transport in Richmond, British Columbia Bridges completed in 1957 1957 establishments in British Columbia Sea Island (British Columbia)

History

Structure

Roadways

See also

Footnotes

References