Pattullo Bridge opens early after major repairs for third time this summer
NEWS1130 (VANCOUVER) – The Pattullo Bridge is now open after being closed as it underwent major repairs for the third time this summer.
The many closures have left some wondering what the future holds for the aging crossing and one New Westminster City Councillor doesn’t think it is being made a priority.
Chuck Puchmayr wants traffic congestion in the Royal City eased and feels the best way to do that is to bring in tolls sooner rather than later. “The longer they wait to build a tolled Pattullo bridge the longer we have to endure that massive increase in cars and trucks that are merely cutting through us New Westminster to avoid paying the toll.”
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“Our modelling does show that a tolled Pattullo and a tolled Port Mann people that are bypassing the Port Mann to save the toll will actually now take the Port Mann. The Port Mann Bridge has fewer cars today than it did 22 years ago,” Puchmayr explains.
Puchmayr adds discussions about what to do with the aging 77-year-old span have been going on for years and the fact the Massey Tunnel is being replaced ahead of it is frustrating.
In June, the province released its 30-year transportation plan which included a tolled four-lane Pattullo.
