Bailey Bridge closed again because of cracks
Posted March 3, 2014 9:22 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NEW WESTMINSTER (NEWS1130) – New problems with the Bailey Bridge between New Westminster and Coquitlam have once again forced its temporary closure.
The bridge has been shut down until further notice because of new cracks, about a year after similar problems.
In the meantime, New Westminster and Coquitlam can’t agree on the bridge’s future. The cities have sent their dispute to an arbitrator for a permanent solution.
New Westminster City Councillor Jonathan Cote is worried about the traffic repercussions.
“Coquitlam has been insistent about doubling the capacity of that bridge,” he tells us. “Unfortunately, where the traffic ends up, it just gets stuck in our industrial property and behind all the rail lines, and we’ve got serious concerns that that’s not going to solve any of the problems Coquitlam thinks it will.”
Cote says the matter has been sent to an arbitrator for a decision. “The results of that will be binding on both cities, and that will I believe ultimately lead us in one direction or another.”
The bridge is expected to be closed for up to two weeks.
