Month-long Front Street closure in New Westminster begins Wednesday

A one-month-long full closure of Front Street in New Westminster takes effect Wednesday, as construction on the new Pattullo Bridge begins.

The City of New Westminster says drivers will be detoured to Columbia Street for the duration of the construction project. Detours will be in place for vehicles in the area.

Trucks will be detoured to Royal Avenue or Braid Street/8th Avenue during the day. At night, they can use 10th Avenue, Highway 1, or other 24/7 truck routes.

CityNews traffic anchor Ryan Lidemark explains traffic will be busier than usual in New Westminster during construction of the new bridge.

“East Columbia — that will be busy through downtown New West. Royal, that’s also another route that’s under construction right by McBride, so for anybody who travels through New West as their commute, expect … really busy morning[s],” Lidemark said Wednesday.

The provinical government says the Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project is needed as the current bridge has only one narrow sidewalk with no protection from traffic.

The city explains Columbia Street will also be closed after the Front Street closure is finished. However, both streets will not be closed at the same time. More information will be announced closer to the date, the city says.

The road closures are required for crews to offload steer girders, begin installing girders, and build temporary support structures to implement on the Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project.

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