New Pattullo Bridge to open by Christmas: B.C. government

After delays, disruptive construction, and billions of dollars, the new Pattullo Bridge will soon open to drivers.

The Ministry of Transportation expects the crossing to be operational to drivers by Christmas Day — three months from today.

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“With modern, wider lanes separated by a centre median barrier, and wider walking and cycling paths in both directions, the replacement for the Pattullo Bridge will improve safety and reliability for drivers, cyclists, and walkers, as well as goods movement. Commuters from New Westminster and Surrey will also see improved connections and upgrades from the existing road networks on both sides of the new bridge,” it says in an email to 1130 NewsRadio.

“In October, the final stay cables will be installed, and the bridge deck will be connected to the north approach in New Westminster. Bridge deck finishings, including barriers, utilities and fencing, are being completed at the same time.”

Angelene Prakash, executive director at the Downtown New Westminster Business Improvement Association, tells 1130 NewsRadio that knowing the project is nearly done is a relief.

Prakash explains she has no doubt the older, crumbling infrastructure has played a role in keeping people away from experiencing local shops and restaurants and is hopeful the new bridge will change that.

“We know the public perception is something we’ve been dealing with for some time now,” she said.

Prakash adds that some businesses have been hit harder than others by the construction.

“We’ve definitely heard from businesses that they feel that, and they get phone calls from customers and clients asking about the traffic situation and what they think is the smoothest route to take. Ultimately, some are not motivated enough to come.”

She admits, as excited as she and business owners may be, she’s cautiously optimistic.

“A new and improved bridge is great, but the question is: will the transportation on either side really be that much smoother? What will the experience be? It’s kind of hard to visualize right now. There will be more on and off-ramps that give a more direct entry and exit onto certain pathways, right on East Columbia, whereas the current bridge does not allow for those things. I do think it remains to be seen how those improvements will actually impact behaviour.”

Despite the new bridge, Prakash says it’s unrealistic to expand business in the city.

“I would love to say there was space to do that. The thing is, Downtown New Westminster is very old. And we have been experiencing a lot of new development over the last 10 years, and we don’t necessarily see that stopping. So, with new development comes new housing but also new commercial spaces, and that’s something we as a BIA really advocate for.”

Prakash says there is excitement for the bridge and describes a weight of “construction fatigue” hanging over many people.

Construction on the new crossing began in 2021. The ministry originally announced it would open in 2023, but that date was pushed back.

Another projection promised it would open this fall, but now the province hopes it’ll be good to go by December.

The total reported cost comes in at $1.637 billion.

—With files from Ben Bouguerra