The first phase of the new deck of the Port Mann Bridge is complete on the Surrey side with preparations under way for the construction of the bridge deck on the Coquitlam side. The bridge project made this year’s Top 100 list with a cost of $2.46 billion.

This was announced by BC Minister for Transportation Shirley Bond who said “The Port Mann Bridge and Highway 1 are congested almost 14 hours a day and that’s harming our economy and quality of life,” said Bond. “Once complete, travel times will be cut by as much as 30 per cent. For some, that saves almost an hour a day in travel. For the first time in over 20 years, we’ll see reliable transit service over the new Port Mann Bridge with a new RapidBus service. By 2031, this service will reduce greenhouse gases by 10,000 to 15,000 tonnes per year.”

It’s full steam ahead for the East Toba and Montrose run of river project.

Plutonic Power and investment partner GE Energy Financial Services announced Monday that its run-of-river hydroelectric facilities at East Toba River and Montrose Creek are complete. The Vancouver-based company has started full-scale power delivery to BC Hydro.

The Vancouver Sun reports that the new  facilities are effectively the largest source of privately generated renewable power in B.C.

The project earned the #30 spot on our 2010 ranking of top infrastructure projects. To find out more about the project and its key players, click here.