Pattullo Bridge replacement expected to open in 2023

NEW WESTMINSTER (NEWS 1130) – A new bridge connecting Surrey and New Westminster is expected to be up and running in five years. Premier John Horgan says the province is “taking over” the Pattullo Bridge replacement project, adding it will provide the $1.377 billion to fund it.

Construction is set to begin the summer of 2019. The new structure, which will replace the aging existing span is expected to open in 2023.

The new bridge will have four lanes with the capacity to be expanded to six, and will be located upstream of the existing one. It will be owned, operated, and maintained by the province.

“This is not just a bridge across the river. It’s a bridge between governments. For too long, the provincial government pointed at municipalities and blamed them for a lack of progress,” says Horgan.

New Westminster Mayor Jonathan Coté had complained about the potential impacts a new span would have on his community. But now says he like the plans for the replacement span.

“I think a replacement four-lane bridge with improved connections to our local road network is actually going to see the traffic move a lot more efficiently than it does today.”

Coté also likes the fact the province is taking over the project, which he says gives the Mayors’ Council more latitude when it comes to making other major transit and transportation improvements.

“With this off the mayors’ plate, I’m really optimistic that we’re going to have some future positive announcements about public transit in the region,” he says.

Greens, Liberals weigh in

Though the Green Party admits this will be a “necessary and overdue upgrade,” members says the move raises questions.

“The Pattullo is a vital link in the region’s major road network, and I am particularly glad to see that the project will include space for cyclists and pedestrians,” says Green Party Deputy Leader Jonina Campbell. “The removal of tolls on the Port Mann and Golden Ear’s bridges put $4.2 billion onto taxpayer-supported debt. There are many vital elements of the Mayor’s 10-year Plan that await funding – in particular the Broadway Subway extension and the Surrey LRT.

She says it’s vital the government meet its promises to fund these projects.

Meanwhile, the BC Liberals say even though the bridge replacement is good news for commuters, they believe the fact the provincial government is taking on the whole cost is not.

The opposition is now wondering what other important projects will be cut or scaled back to pay for all of it.

Leader Andrew Wilkinson says the NDP should have waited for funding help from Ottawa, and believes today’s announcement aims to distract from the ongoing pipeline spat between BC and Alberta.

New connections

In Surrey, the new span will connect directly to King George Boulevard, as the existing one already does. In addition, there will be a new off-ramp to westbound Highway 17.

In New Westminster, the bridge will continue to connect to McBride Boulevard. There will also be direct ramps to link to East Columbia Street.

The province says the new connections will “reduce the reliance on local residential streets to access the bridge.”

Surrey Board of Trade wants more lanes

The Surrey Board of Trade is pleased with the announcement, but wants to see more lanes constructed on the new span. It wants to see six lanes, instead of four, which is in the current plan.

“With Surrey, we’re growing at a population of 800 to 1,000 a month. We’re going to be the largest city in British Columbia very soon,” says CEO Anita Huberman.

“I think we really need to make sure that we take a look at our future transportation infrastructure and bprepared for future population growth now. We’re already behind, in terms of transportation infrastructure in the region,” she adds.

Horgan says the new span will have the option of expanding to six lanes.

Municipal Affairs Minister Selina Robinson says the new bridge will be built to “modern safety standards.”

“[It will feature] a centre safety median barrier and wider lanes to accommodate both passenger and commercial vehicles. The bridge will also have walking and cycling lanes, separated from traffic, on both sides of the bridge,” says Robinson.

“There will also be smoother connections on and off the new Pattullo Bridge with new direct road connections between the bridge and East Columbia Street in New Westminster, and a new direct off-ramp from the bridge to westbound Highway 17 in Surrey,” she adds.

The project includes the removal of the existing bridge, which will come down once the new one is opened.