The new Port Mann Bridge hasn’t had the best track record during its first winter in operation. There are about 340 insurance claims filed since the December 19th snowstorm that include damage from a 40-car pile up and falling ice. Yesterday, the Ministry of Transportation revealed a three point plan to make the bridge safer for all – including robotic ice sweepers on the cables.
After the recent events on the Port Mann Bridge, engineers working on the project have assessed the concerns and identified solutions to help prevent snow and ice build-up from happening again on the bridge cables. They’ve come up with three ways, all working together, to improve safety. They include:
1) Custom-designed cable sweepers: custom-designed devices fitting around the outside of the bridge cables and move along their lengths to remove snow and ice before it can build up. The sweepers are currently being put together, with installation and additional testing planned this week. The sweepers will be installed on all 152 bridge cables crossing the roadway.
2) Hydrophobic coatings: four types of hydrophobic coatings (which reduce adhesion of water and ice to surfaces) are being tested, on the bridge and in labs, to confirm which may perform best on the Port Mann Bridge cables. These include water, ice and snow-repellent solutions that can be applied to the existing cable sheaths to determine how effective and compatible they are with the Port Mann Bridge.
3) De-icing Solution: could be applied to the bridge cables as a preventative measure in addition to the other two solutions. The de-icing solution would be applied to the bridge cables before a forecasted snow storm. If this sounds familiar, it’s because similar solutions are used to prevent ice build-up on aircraft and ocean-going ships. FYI – this concoction is non-corrosive and environmentally friendly, too.
Photo credit:
TranBC on Flickr
Authorities are hoping that these measures will ensure a safe crossing for all. You can find out more about the safety plan and get news from the Ministry of Transportation by following them on Facebook and Twitter.
The Vancouver Heritage Foundation presents Gritty City: Vancouver in the 60s at the historic Hollywood Theatre later this month. This is a mini three-night film festival that will feature Vancouver’s earlier days of neon, West Coast architecture, and the evolution of the West End. The films will include:
1958 – Granville neon. VPL Number: 65548 . Photograhper: W. Roozeboom.
Film: Glowing in the Dark (1994)
When: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 7:30pm
About the film: Produced by Alan Goldman with Cari Green and Directed by Harry Killas. A look at neon in Vancouver, Las Vegas and LA. Screening followed by Q&A led by John Atkin and Alan Goldman.
Film: Coast Modern (2012)
When: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 7:30pm
About the Film: Directed by Mike Bernard + Gavin Froome. Showcases the pioneers of West Coast Modernist Architecture and the homes that have become their legacies. Stepping inside the most inspired dwellings on the west coast, we feel how the light and space of a classic Modernist home can work in collaboration with the natural environment. Screening followed by an open discussion with the directors.
Films: West End ‘66 and A City’s Story
When: Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 7:30pm
About the films: CBC Archival Film Program takes a look back at Vancouver in the 60s. These two half hour shorts cruise through city neighbourhoods and downtown by night and day. Screenings with open discussion after each film.
This event is in partnership with the Church at the Hollywood (Hollywood Theatre 3123 West Broadway). Entry and Concession are both by donation and there will be time after each film for discussion and debate with a different host each night.
Follow the Vancouver Heritage Foundation on Twitter and Facebook for more information about this event and many others.
Vancouver is friendly to our four-legged friends who join locals on their morning jog, socialize outside a coffee shop, take off-leash walks in parks, and spend their afternoons at the spa or doggy bakery. The following collection of canine captures have been contributed to the Miss604 Flickr Pool:
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Gung Haggis Fat Choy is the annual celebration of Chinese New Year mixed with Robbie Burns Day that epitomizes the sense of community and collaborative spirit that thrives in Vancouver.
Celebrating BC Scottish and Chinese pioneer culture, history through music, poetry and culinary fusion, Gung Haggis Fat Choy will take place Sunday, January 27, 2013 starting at 5:00pm at Floata Restaurant (180 Keefer St).
Photo by Deb Martin
Single tickets are $65 and group tickets are $625 for a table of 10. Each ticket includes a $5 service charge. Purchase online in advance or by calling Kristin Cheung at Ricepaper magazine at (604) 872-3464.
Founded by Toddish McWong (Todd Wong) in 1998, Gung Haggis Fat Choy events have sprouted up across the Pacific Northwest and on Vancouver Island. In 2005, the dinner moved to the largest Chinese Restaurant in North America at the time (Floata) and has since been attended by Mayors, MLAs, and celebrities.
Menu highlights have included deep-fried haggis wonton and haggis pork dumpling (su-mei) along with appetizer courses. “Neeps” served Chinese style in the form of pan-fried turnip cake, dim sum style. Traditional haggis is served with Chinese lettuce wrap. Toss in poetry, music, and sing-along tunes like My Chow Mein (Bonny) Lies Over the Ocean and When Asian Eyes Are Smiling and you’ve got yourself a party. There is also a wide selection of prizes to be won at the event.
The theme for this year’s dinner is to celebrate Sir James Douglas, the father of BC and first governor in 1858.
Registration is now open for the Surrey International World Music Marathon happening September 29th, 2013. In its first year the marathon welcomed thousands of marathon, half-marathon, 5km, marathon relay, and half-relay participants including the world’s oldest marathon runner Fauja Singh (at age 101).
For its second year, this Boston Marathon qualifier is getting a new course with over 20km of greenways along the route, maximizing the scenic roads and pathways of Green Timbers Urban Forest.
The run will start and finish from the Surrey’s City Centre and from the front door of Central City Shopping Centre and Simon Fraser University. Runners will make their way through well-established residential neighbourhoods and most of the route will be closed to traffic, accommodating Cultural Miles (with world music) and aid stations.
Register soon to take advantage of the lowest rates possible. Follow the Surrey Marathon on Facebook and Twitter for the lastest information.
