The Alex Fraser Bridge opened in 1986. It was built to meet the growing traffic demand and was originally designed to allow for the number of lanes to be increased. This reconfiguration will accommodate a seventh lane, so our Greater Vancouver landmark can continue to serve road users for the next 50 years.

When the bridge first opened, only four of the six lanes were used for traffic with the two outer lanes reserved for pedestrians and cyclists. In 1987 pedestrians and cyclists were moved to the perimeter of the bridge and 6 lanes were opened to accommodate increased traffic demand. Over 30 years later, the bridge now carries an average of 119,000 vehicles each day. Prior to the improvement project, road users were experiencing lines more than three kilometres long during rush hour. This congestion reduced traffic flow and reliability along the Highway 91 corridor, which is a vital transportation link for both commuters and goods movers

Lane Configuration

The additional lane and new moveable barrier will allow for four lanes northbound and three lanes southbound during the morning rush hour. Four lanes southbound and three lanes northbound will be open at all other times.

The seventh lane will be added by reconfiguring the six existing lanes and removing the shoulders. The speed limit will be reduced from 90 to 70 kilometres per hour to accommodate the additional lane. Cyclist and pedestrian access is not affected.













Moveable Barrier

Counter-flow lanes allow us to increase traffic capacity by adding a travel lane in the direction where it is most needed. Counter-flow lanes are currently used on the Lions Gate Bridge and in the George Massey Tunnel to improve traffic flow during peak periods.