September 12, 2025
Like the city itself, the Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is growing by leaps and bounds, with phased, multi-year infrastructure upgrades and expansions. As part of this growth, the Algonquin team designed and supplied a smart-looking T1000 Bolted Bowstring Truss Bridge — one of the first of its kind in Western Canada.
The new 24.4 m span reaches across a drainage canal to provide a vehicular/pedestrian connection between the expanded parking area and the main terminal. The graceful Bowstring Truss design features a 3 m wide cantilevered lane for pedestrians and cyclists.
Because of future anticipated infrastructure projects at YLW, this bridge was designed to be disassembled after a decade or so, for re-use at another location in the city of Kelowna.
Kelowna Airport bridge completed on budget and on schedule
The unique nature of this bridge had our professional team laser-focussed on controlling material and labour costs while meeting our project partners’ requirements and expectations. Good news: our diligence paid off — the project was completed on budget and on schedule.
Hats off to the contractor, Emil Anderson Group, for a job well done. They told us they were pleased with the overall customer service, the bridge fit-up and opening the bridge on time.
Like the naturally weathering finish and lower carbon footprint of this steel bridge (vs concrete), its future reusability brings many sustainability benefits that are also good for the city’s bottom line.
