The Alexandra Bridge is a steel arch bridge across the Fraser River in the lower Fraser Canyon area of southwestern British Columbia, Canada. The two-lane crossing, carrying BC Highway 1, is by road about north of Hope and south of Lytton.
Former ferries and bridges
Several ferries and the first and second Alexandra Bridges have existed in the vicinity.
Bridge construction and opening
In 1958, General Construction Co was awarded the bridge substructure ($589,167), but unexpected ground conditions temporarily halted the work, while minor changes were made in the foundations design. The next year, A.I.M. Steel was awarded the steel superstructure ($2,262,283).
In May 1962, the steelwork was complete. At the time, the second longest bridge of this type in the world, the bridge remains the longest one in the Fraser Canyon. For the final phase, Narod Construction was awarded the deck and fence contract ($109,684).
The length comprises a arch span and steel girder approach spans with concrete decks. Northeast to southwest, the bridge crosses the Canadian National Railway (CN), Fraser River, and Canadian Pacific Railway (CP).
In October 1962, Highways Minister Phil Gaglardi officially opened the $4 million high level bridge. The increased gross load allowance to and trailer lengths to for the highway permitted heavy trucks to use this more direct route rather than the circuitous Hope–Princeton.
Bridge operation
In May 1963, Phil Gaglardi returned for the unveiling of four aluminum fish sculptures, two at each end of the bridge. Standing at the southwest end, a cairn commemorates the contribution of the Royal Engineers in building the Cariboo Road.
The completion of phase 2 of the Coquihalla Highway project (Merritt–Kamloops) in September 1987 created a faster route to the interior, greatly reducing the Fraser Canyon and Alexandra Bridge traffic.
A 2009 report determined the bridge needed major deck rehabilitation and a seismic retrofit. During 2015–2018, Surespan Construction carried out the $22.2 million project. The concrete deck was rehabilitated and extended to , providing wider shoulders with railings upgraded to current standards. Link slabs were installed. Expansion joints and bearings were replaced. Partial painting and sundry repairs were completed. The discovery of some cases of extensive corrosion prompted a second phase of the project, which was undertaken in 2019.