Could the old Port Mann become a park?

2011, thousands, manager, through, turning

Could the old Port Mann become a park?
Local man wants the old bridge turned into a public park
John Streit Oct 06, 2011 04:13:19 AM
7 SURREY (NEWS1130) - Imagine the views from a green oasis on a steel superstructure where tens of thousands of cars and trucks rumble through everyday. Metro manager Gaeten Royer pitched the idea of turning the old Port Mann bridge into a public park at Metro Vancouver presentation on Wednesday.

Gayle Martin is Chair of the Regional Parks Committee and was there when Royer discussed the idea. "He did have a picture of other examples that he had seen. Maybe that is where he got the idea from. He clearly stated that this is just an idea. He is definitely thinking outside the box."

Royer showed the crowd a photo-shopped version of the Port Mann, complete with trees and a plaza in the centre of the span.

Martin says there's Surrey-owned land on the east side of the bridge which could be the entrance to a new Port Mann park.

Currently, when the new bridge is finished, the province wants to demolish the old bridge.

In San Francisco, two architects proposed turning the old Bay bridge into an urban park and in New York City they have turned a railway viaduct into the very popular Hyland Park.