There will be no delays to Port Mann Bridge construction while the contractor repairs a broken gantry, says a spokesperson from the Port Mann/Highway 1 Improvement Project.
Max Logan said in a statement this week that damage to faulty machinery used to place concrete deck panels is minimal and can be repaired while the contractor works on other part of the bridge.
"The contractor expects the necessary repairs and replacement components will be in place to allow re-commissioning of the gantry in April," the statement reads.
An assessment found only minor repairs are needed, with some components requiring repair or replacement.
While the repairs are completed, the contractor will continue to work on the bridge's main span, connecting it to the final approach pier, the point where the approach span and the main span meet.
Once the main span is connected and the gantry repaired, construction of the approach span will resume and the connection between the approach and the main span will be completed.
The contractor will then continue the remaining work on the bridge in preparation for opening eight of 10 lanes in December, 2012.
When complete, the new Port Mann Bridge will consist of three sections:
Cable-stayed main span (850 metres) - constructed using steel girders that support concrete deck panels.
South approach (350 metres) - constructed using 327 pre-cast concrete sections set in place by the gantry.
North approach (820) metres - constructed using 831 pre-cast concrete sections set in place by the gantry.
Opening the new bridge will complete the first and largest phase of the project, which includes opening lanes on the new bridge, widening the highway and rebuilding three interchanges from 160 Street in Surrey to the Cape Horn Interchange in Coquitlam.
Construction work to complete the project, including the final two lanes of the bridge, will continue through 23013, with the existing bridge scheduled for decommissioning in 2014.
