Burnaby's Holdom Overpass Project Achieves Envision Platinum Award for Sustainability

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The Holdom Overpass Project in Burnaby, BC, has received the Envision Platinum award from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, recognizing its commitment to sustainable practices and community benefits.

VANCOUVER — The Holdom Overpass Project, located at the intersection of Douglas Road and Norland Avenue in Burnaby, British Columbia, has recently been awarded the prestigious Envision Platinum designation. This accolade, the highest sustainability recognition granted by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, was announced following a thorough evaluation based on five key categories: quality of life, leadership, resource allocation, the natural world, and climate resilience. This award highlights the project's significant contributions to enhancing traffic flow and safety within the Burnaby community, as well as its role in increasing trade capacity by nearly 15 percent at the Port of Vancouver's North Shore terminals.
The Holdom Overpass aims to extend Holdom Avenue southward over the rail corridor and Still Creek, effectively replacing the existing Douglas Road rail crossing. This infrastructural enhancement is not only crucial for improving vehicle movement but also for bolstering the overall efficiency of transportation networks in the area. The Envision Platinum award reflects the project’s innovative approach to sustainable infrastructure, focusing on improving safety and mobility, enhancing connections for pedestrians and cyclists, protecting local waterways, and minimizing vehicle idling. Furthermore, the project includes initiatives for restoring native habitats by removing invasive species, planting native vegetation, and adding features such as bat roosting structures.
In addition to these environmental considerations, the Holdom Overpass Project is set to create new public gathering spaces that will showcase First Nations art, fostering a sense of community and cultural appreciation. The final design of the bridge incorporates multi-use pathways, aligning with a broader regional strategy aimed at promoting sustainable mobility throughout the area.
Moreover, the project is engaged in the Construction Plastics Initiative pilot, a collaborative effort involving Light House and the Aecon-Gateway Infrastructure Group Partnership, which is the designated design-build contractor for this project. This initiative aligns with contemporary trends in the construction sector that prioritize sustainability and resource efficiency.
The Holdom Overpass is a vital component of the Burnaby Rail Corridor Improvements Project, which encompasses a series of enhancements to both road and rail systems designed to improve the flow of trains between Burnaby and North Vancouver's port terminals. Previous improvements undertaken by CN have included significant upgrades to the Thornton Tunnel and the introduction of a new rail siding situated between Willingdon and Piper avenues.
The recognition of the Holdom Overpass Project as an Envision Platinum award recipient marks a notable achievement for the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, as this is the third time they have been honored with such a distinction. The authority previously received the Envision Platinum award for the Low Level Road Project in 2015, followed by the Centerm Expansion Project and South Shore Access Project in 2024. These accolades underscore the continued commitment of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority to advancing sustainable infrastructure practices in the region.

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