Crossing Highway 401 in style

For any pedestrian crossing a multi-lane highway by a bridge exposed to the elements, high winds, noise and extreme temperatures can make it an ordeal. A new enclosed bridge under construction over 16 lanes of Highway 401 in Pickering, east of Toronto, will transform this experience.

The 200-metre fully enclosed structure is being constructed by Metrolinx and GO Transit to connect the commuter Pickering GO Station on the south of the highway to the Pickering Town Centre and a new office tower on the north.

The bridge will be clad in a curved and perforated metallic mesh panel system outside the glazed walls that enclose the actual walkway area. The panels will be illuminated at night.

The bridge’s architectural concept design is by Teeple Architects. AECOM Canada is doing architectural production and structural, civil, mechanical and electrical engineering. Others on the team are Thurber Associates (geotechnical), J.D. Barnes (survey), Theakston Environmental (environmental), and IBI Group (ATMS).

In addition to the bridge, Metrolinx is providing a new parking structure for 500 vehicles at the base of the 132,000 sq.ft. office tower and a future parking structure of about 1,300 stalls to the south to encourage transit users.