January 23, 2013

Cable sweepers for Port Mann Bridge

Engineers working on the Port Mann Bridge in Vancouver have identified possible solutions to prevent further incidents of snow and ice buildup on the bridge's cables.

A custom-fitted cable sweeper has been designed, which will be fitted around bridge cables and used to remove snow and ice before it can accumulate.

Engineers have also identified hydrophobic coatings and de-icing sprays to prevent ice accumulation.

Fabrication of the sweepers is now underway and installation and additional testing will begin this week.

The sweepers will be installed on the 152 bridge cables that cross the roadway.

In late December 2012, more than 250 vehicles were hit by falling chunks of ice after temperatures dipped and caused ice to form on the cables of the $2.46 billion bridge and highway improvement project.

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