Two single-lane spans to replace Bailey Bridge, but Coquitlam calls it a stop-gap
Posted August 7, 2014 11:42 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
COQUITLAM (NEWS1130) – A pair of new single-lane bridges will soon connect New Westminster and Coquitlam, with the two cities agreeing on the details of a replacement for the structurally-unsafe Bailey Bridge.
The crossings, which allow for two-way traffic, will also include bike and pedestrian paths.
An arbitrator had ruled in favour of the two-lane replacement and the two cities have now worked out the details. But Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart says it’s a stop-gap.
“This is a mid-term solution. The long-term solution really needs to be a four-lane proper connection that includes an overpass over five active rail crossings in that corridor so that goods can move properly,” he argues.
But New Westminster Councillor Chuck Puchmayr says that just won’t work.
“We can’t accommodate growing traffic in that region. It was gridlocked when there was a single-lane bridge in there with 65 train movements across five tracks. That’s been the problem in that area; the congestion causes huge huge hardships local merchants and businesses in that area,” he maintains.
Both sides have been at odds over a replacement since the existing single-lane bridge was found to be unsafe.
The cities will split the cost of the $1.2-million replacement bridges, which should be operational by mid-September.
