Thursday, February 5, 2009

Binning + The Port Mann


One overlooked aspect of the Port Mann Bridge is the original colour scheme designed by B.C. Binning in 1963. 

Binning's recommendation of orange for the deck and yellow for the overarching span was meant to contrast with the prominent natural river setting and showcase the structural beauty of the bridge. 

His rationale for the scheme (explored further in Abraham Rogatnick's essay in the monograph B.C. Binning) shows an optimism and consideration for infrastructure that was reflective of prevailing thought at the time.

The bridge has since been painted entirely orange and the recent proposal to twin it has been ditched in favour of a plan that would see it demolished to make way for a 10 lane bridge to service the crossing. 

See The Globe & Mail for the most recent article.

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