The ferry service, which linked the communities of Albion and Fort Langley, began operating in 1957, and offered a free trip for up to 24 cars at a time, every 15 minutes. Averaging 80 trips a day, it was not uncommon to have waits of 4, 5, even up to 8 sailings – a huge amount of time to wait, considering the ride itself was less than 7 minutes.

Enter the Golden Ears Bridge, named after the landmark mountain peaks in the Golden Ears Provincial Park north of the Fraser. Construction began in 2006 for a project that included the 1km bridge span, 12.3kms of 2, 4, and 6-lane mainline roadway, 5kms of off- and on-ramps, 12kms of municipal street upgrades, and 2kms of modifications to existing highway infrastructure. It is certainly more than ‘just a bridge’.

The Completion Celebration that occurred last Sunday was a fantastic opportunity to get a close look at the bridge, and the views it afforded. Organized by Translink, the regional transportation authority and owner of the new bridge, the event anticipated a crowd of 30,000 people. Unfortunately, 50,000 visitors later, the deck had to be closed off at the entrances until some of them left. The total estimate for the day is in the 60,000 range, showing just how excited people were to see the bridge, and enjoy the events that were scheduled for the day.

The events began at 8:30am with a foot race from one end of the bridge to the other, with a bike-pedaling George Tabert, the local pastor who suggested the Golden Ears name, leading the way. Afterwards, crews got to work finishing setting up the 3 stages and event tents. Visitors, traveling from parking areas on the north and south via free Translink shuttles, or walking up the circular pedestrian ramps, were allowed onto the deck at 11am. Concerts and performances took place throughout the day, including a Capoeira performance by Aché Brasil, routines by Blues Brothers too, and Bhangra dancing courtesy of the Vancouver International Bhangra Celebration.

Volunteers were stationed across the bridge to let visitors ‘cut the ribbon’ and collect ‘i made history’ passport stamps. Classic cars from local car clubs were displayed across the bridge, and a number of vendors provided cool treats, hot dogs, and bottled water. Later in the afternoon, visitors could win collectable ‘I Made History’ buttons by doing their best dance or hula-hoop. The atmosphere was completely festive, and was comparable to a day at the PNE, or Cloverdale Rodeo.

By 1pm the crowd had assembled to witness the official ribbon cutting ceremony on the north stage. BC Premiere Gordon Campbell talked about the great things happening in BC, and representatives from each of the connected communities touched briefly on the significance of the bridge. Translink also had a few words to say, as well as the Golden Ears Project Manager. Before cutting the ribbon, the ceremony was blessed by a member of the local Katzie first nations.

At a cost of $808 Million, the bridge is the first in Western Canada to utilize electronic tolling – cameras and sensors record the type of vehicle, and front and back license plates as it drives across. For drivers who will be using the bridge on a frequent basis, a transponder can be leased, which will provide cheaper toll rates, however none of the rates match the free Albion service.

This fact is not lost on the many people who take the ferry – the final sailing is planned for July 31, 2009. Many are still against the toll, pointing out the fact that the free alternative will no longer be available, while others are against the Gateway transportation project in general. They voiced their opinions on the bridge, along with other groups rallying groups.

I personally am very happy to say ‘I Made History’ on the Golden Ears Bridge that day, and was glad to see my sister and nephew show up to have a look. Some have criticized an apparent lack of planning for the event, which were perhaps visible when the crowds became too thick during the ribbon cutting, and people were asked to wait before walking onto the bridge deck. However, for such a highly-publicized, and well-attended, historic, community event, the number of problems (crowding, a few people fainting, and a pregnant woman having contractions) were really insignificant.

Kudos to Translink for a great celebration, and a beautiful new bridge!

If you’d like to see it for yourself, follow the Golden Ears signs at the 176th or 200th street exits on the Transcanada Highway (hwy1) south of the Fraser, or take the Golden Ears Way exit off the Lougheed Highway north of the Fraser (map here). If you’re taking Transit, the new 595 route travels between Langley Centre and Haney Place, stopping at the Walnut Grove Park & Ride and the Maple Meadows WCE Station.

For more shots, be sure to check out my Golden Ears Bridge set on Flickr.

After 2 days in the city, I can already understand why. Florence, unlike Rome, is a very welcoming city. Many people know some english here, along with the foreign students or tourists, and if not, they’re very open to helping you out as best they can. But more than the people, this city simply feels intellectual. I find I keep needing to remind myself the number of amazing works of art and architecture hidden here.

Yesterday morning we biked over the Arno to the Chiesa di San Spirito; one of the few full buildings Brunelleschi bad built. I remembered a little bit of it from the presentation by Morgan and April in the spring, but it wasn’t one of the churches I was eagerly looking forward to. So when I stepped through the doors, I did not expect what I received.

Mass was still underway, but the tourist information guard allowed us to sit at the back until it finished. When it was over, we explored the church, admiring Brunelleschi’s fine architectural science, and Rus came over to me and said it was my kind of place. And it was. We talked about it for a bit, and when I walked a little further it really hit me.

This was perhaps the first time I had visited a building of this type that was specifically designed (and designed well at that) to illicit the sort of awe-inducing reaction I was having: it was a cerebral space created to bring people closer to God.

And in knowing that, and seeing that, I was inspired to think that I might someday be able to create the same experience for someone else.

Here my love of architecture found context.. and a base from which to build upon. What this church did for the renaissance, is perhaps what a creation of my own could do for the 21st century. Hey, I’m in Florence, I’m allowed to dream big.. nay, I’m required to.

Continuing on that theme, we visited the Santa Maria del Carmine to view the early renaissance frescos in the Brancacci Chapel before going back across the river to the Santa Croce. The basilica was undergoing rennovations to the timber roof structure, but we were able to see most of the restored work, as well as the tombs of Michelangelo and Dante, to name a few. We then headed into the central court to view Rus’ favorite piece of architecture in the world: the Pazzi Chapel.

Built by Brunelleschi before his San Spirito, the chapel is a perfect example of his reinterpretation of Roman classicism. Although, my favorite place within the Santa Croce complex was most certainly the cloister. The contrast in space was palpable, and silence was in abundance. Florence had been treating me well and this was a wonderful gift to round out the afternoon. We sat in the shade in the southwest corner while Rus told us the following assignments, and the rest of the day was ours, so most of us explored the works in the other buildings before closure at 5:30.

… at which time Brad, Morgan and myself biked over to the rental place to pick up some biking gloves, then headed back to our ‘hood for some food. We found a decent pizza place where we met an leather-designing Argentinian living in Spain and working in Florence, who had lived in New York for 35 years previously. He reveled in the wonderfulness of Spain, particularly Barcelona, and so my post-Italy plans were solidified. I would indeed need to spend as much time in Barcelona as possible. We biked our 15euro, 30″ pizza to the nearest green space and enjoyed before heading home to watch Espana vs. Italia (where i quickly fell asleep)

They are so different, Rome and Florence. I thought Rome was my kind of place, but Florence has already given me so much. I could spend months here and still not be ready to leave. I suppose I’ll have to try my best with the week I’m given.. thankfully our main assignment for this place is to seek out moments of truth. Transcendent moments: 3 moments in which I feel alive.. moments that answers the reasons I’m here.. moments unique to this place, and this time. Moments of interaction, or conversation, or realization, without other members of the group. What a great project, no?