Construction is set to begin on the Casano-Loutet Overpass, a new pedestrian and cycling bridge that will span Highway 1 and connect the Loutet and Cedar Village areas in North Vancouver.
Jointly funded by the City of North Vancouver, the Government of British Columbia, and TransLink, the overpass aims to improve active transportation links across the Upper Levels Highway. Once completed—expected by summer 2026—it will offer a safer, more accessible route for people walking, rolling, and cycling between local schools, services, and residential areas.
Designed with accessibility and safety as top priorities, the overpass will feature a gradual, curved structure with integrated lighting, safety fencing, handrails, rest areas, and wayfinding signage. The project will include new native trees and shrubs, landscaping improvements, and upgraded intersections at key local connections to enhance safety and slow traffic.
The overpass will stretch from Loutet Park on the south side of Highway 1 to the intersection of Casano Drive and Rufus Avenue on the north side. It will be fully accessible to people of all ages and mobility levels.
North Vancouver-based contractor Surespan has been selected to deliver the project. Construction will take place in phases beginning in March 2025:
Early Spring 2025: Site clearing and tree removal, followed by excavation work.
Mid Spring to Early Winter 2025: Offsite fabrication of the steel bridge and construction of support piers.
Early Winter 2025 to Mid Spring 2026: Main bridge installation and addition of lighting, fencing, benches, and connecting pathways.
Spring 2026: Tree and shrub planting and final landscaping.
Summer 2026: Overpass opens to the public.
To minimize disruption, bridge installation will occur at night, though temporary closures of Highway 1 will be required.
The project will involve removing trees from two City-owned sites where the bridge connects to the highway. Most of the trees identified are in moderate to poor condition or pose a safety risk. In response to a request from the Squamish Nation, suitable cedar trees will be set aside for their use. Tree replacement efforts will include planting nearly the same number of new trees, along with 2,300 shrubs, to restore biodiversity and screen the area from the highway.
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