A big, new bridge was dropped into the Kanaka Creek canyon by helicopter recently.
The 33-metre aluminum span, about the size of a 10-storey building laid on its side, was flown for more than a kilometer into Kanaka Creek Regional Park, and installed to replace an aging pedestrian bridge.
Metro Vancouver Regional parks said the bridge is designed to weather high-rain events, and help keep a popular loop trail in the park open year-round – it’s part of the Pineridge Trail.
The last bridge had its footings damaged by higher water flows brought on by climate change, explained Metro.
A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, used by the U.S. Army for big lifts, was flown to carry the 7,500 pound bridge into place. A waiting ground crew guided the heavy structure into place.
The flying was done by Langley-based Contour Helicoptors.