Synopsis:
The Pattullo Bridge, an iconic transportation route between Surrey and New Westminster, will soon be decommissioned to make way for a $1.4 billion replacement bridge. To bid farewell to the bridge that has served the community for over 80 years, a New Westminster Councillor is proposing a unique opportunity for the public to celebrate its history and legacy.
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New Westminster Councillor, Daniel Fontaine, has proposed a unique idea for the decommissioning of the Pattullo Bridge, an iconic part of the city’s history. He is proposing a three-day goodbye party for the bridge, which would take place on the bridge itself. This event will give the public a rare opportunity to experience the bridge without any traffic, allowing them to fully appreciate its significance to the city’s history.
The Pattullo Bridge has served as a major transportation route between Surrey and New Westminster for over four decades, and the three-day festival proposed by Fontaine would be a way to pay respects to the bridge for its many years of service. The festival would include live music and entertainment, giving the public a chance to celebrate the bridge’s 86 years of history while enjoying impressive views of the Fraser River, Surrey, and New Westminster.
Construction on the new Pattullo Bridge, which is slated for completion in 2024, is already underway. The replacement bridge will cost $1.4 billion and will include many much-needed upgrades, such as protected walking and cycling lanes, better connections to and from the bridge, and a safer pathway for those crossing the bridge. The new bridge will also be built with two in-river piers, instead of the current six, to lessen the impact on the ecosystem.
Safety Concerns
- – TransLink emphasized the closure is necessary to complete the work required for the replacement of the Pattullo Bridge.
- – The closure ensures the safety of motorists during the seismic warning system relocation and other activities.
- – The Pattullo Bridge has been in service since 1937 and has served its purpose well over the years.
- – Its replacement is necessary to provide safe and reliable transportation for years to come.
- – The proposed three-day goodbye party would be a fitting send-off for the iconic bridge and a way to celebrate its many years of service to the people of Metro Vancouver.
Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project
The $1.4-billion replacement for the Pattullo Bridge is already under construction and slated for completion in 2024. The new bridge will include much-needed upgrades, including protected walking and cycling lanes, better connections to, from, and near the bridge, and a safer pathway for those crossing the bridge. The replacement bridge will also be built with two in-river piers, instead of the current six, to ease the project’s impact on the ecosystem.
Bridge Closures
The Pattullo Bridge closure over the Easter weekend was successfully completed as part of the ongoing bridge replacement project. The bridge closure, which was necessary to complete work including soil densification activities, paving, and relocation of the seismic warning system, took effect at 10 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, and remained in place until 5 a.m. on Tuesday, April 11.
During the closure, TransLink also conducted bridge work, including speed sign relocation, line painting, concrete patching, and inspections requiring rope access onto the overhead bridge truss. The closure did not apply to pedestrians, cyclists, or first responders.
Goodbye party for Pattullo Bridge
As the new bridge nears completion, New Westminster City Councillor Daniel Fontaine proposed a three-day goodbye party for the Pattullo Bridge. The aging bridge is “an iconic part of the City of New Westminster’s history,” and the public should have a “unique opportunity” to experience it without vehicle and truck traffic, he said.
The proposed festival would include live music and entertainment along with a celebration of the bridge’s 86 years of history. The party would provide impressive views of the Fraser River, Surrey, and New Westminster. Fontaine’s proposal is going before the city’s mayor and council for consideration.
Conclusion
The Pattullo Bridge closure over the Easter weekend was a necessary step in the ongoing bridge replacement project. The closure provided crews with the opportunity to complete important work, including soil densification activities, paving, and relocation of the seismic warning system. TransLink also conducted bridge work, including speed sign relocation, line painting, concrete patching, and inspections requiring rope access onto the overhead bridge truss.
As the new bridge nears completion, New Westminster City Councillor Daniel Fontaine has proposed a three-day festival to bid farewell to the Pattullo Bridge. The festival would offer a unique opportunity for the public to experience the bridge without vehicle and truck traffic and celebrate its 86 years of history.
