PORT MANN BRIDGE Ice bomb and de-icing solution

David Hah and Nathan Lui

Problem

Ice being accumulated on the cables spanning the new Port Mann Bridge started falling as deadly “ice bombs” onto the deck and cars on the bridge.

Broken windshield from “ice bombs”

WE NEED A SOLUTION NOW >>>>>

Possible SolutionsMany expensive solutions were thought out such as cable sweepers and hydrophobic coatings.

However, they were expensive and unpractical.

The Right SolutionWe have come up with “The Right Solution.”

Proposal:

To use custom heated coils that wraps around the cables of the bridge that span over the bridge deck to avoid freezing and build up of snow and ice. The coils will be powered by electricity running through the bridge the same way the street lights are lit up.

With this less expensive method, we do not have to close off the entire bridge when installing the coils.

Heated Coil on Cable

Black Coil :

Wraps around the bridge cable and releases heat to avoid freezing and ice accumulation

Bridge Cable

The heating coils will be turned on when there is snow or the weather drops below two degrees Celsius.