Two Metro Vancouver bridges to close for a week

If you need to get to or from Surrey and often take the Pattullo or stal̕əw̓asəm bridges, you’d better figure out an alternate route.

The provincial government confirmed to 1130 NewsRadio that both crossings will be closed for at least a week in early February. It’s not providing an exact date just yet, adding that the work is “weather dependent.”

Crews have to connect the roadways on either side to the new crossing, also known as the Riverview Bridge.

The work forcing the closure was initially slated to be completed in January, but it was pushed back.

That means drivers can expect added volume and possible delays to the Port Mann and Alex Fraser bridges, which many will use as alternate routes.

The completed Riverview Bridge will include what’s described as modern, wider lanes separated by a centre median barrier, and wider walking and cycling paths in both directions. The province has also promised commuters from New Westminster and Surrey improved connections and upgrades to the existing road networks on both sides of the new bridge.

Once all four lanes open, the new crossing will once again connect to King George Boulevard in Surrey and McBride Boulevard in New Westminster. The off-ramp to Columbia Street will also be open.

“The new Royal Avenue on-ramp, Columbia Street loop-ramp and Highway 17 off-ramp will open in phases, as they cannot be completed until sections of the connecting roadways and the Pattullo Bridge have been removed,” reads the province’s website.

It adds, “A local closure of Columbia Street between McBride Boulevard and Elliot Street, for approximately one month, will be required to deconstruct the Pattullo Bridge and build the new Columbia loop-ramp.”

Drivers can expect further headaches as some parts of the new bridge can’t be completely finished until the old crossing is dismantled — a process expected to take at least two years.

The estimated cost for the project is $1.637 billion.

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