[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by CanSpice

So let's do the math. The height of the Pattullo Bridge deck is about the same as the SkyBridge, which is at 45 meters above the Fraser River. The centre of the rail bridge would need to be this high, as you say. Grades on rail lines are very low, with a 2% grade being fairly rare, so let's put it at a 1.5% grade (which would still be fairly steep for a train). That means that to climb to 45 metres you need a three kilometre run. Oh, and if you add a curve to the run it needs to be longer.

Three kilometres on the Surrey side puts the beginning of the climb at the rail yards north of the SFPR at roughly 132 Street, or if you go downstream, it's deep into the industrial.

Three kilometres on the New West side puts the beginning of the climb at Poplar Island, at the far end of the switching yard along Stewardson Way. If you go upstream, three kilometres puts you into Coquitlam, or almost to the Braid SkyTrain Station.

No, there's no way that you're getting a rail bridge at that location that doesn't have a swing or lift span.

incorrect.

the plans/talk years ago featured a spiral tunnel on the New Westminister side.

I can assure you technically it is doable. cost wise .... that's the concern

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Hill

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_spiral_tunnels_and_tunnels_on_a_curved_alignment