The long-awaited reopening of Front Street is happening on Friday after a nine-month closure.
Fraser Crossing Partners, which is designing and building the Pattullo Bridge replacement, implemented a six-month closure of Front Street starting the week of June 17, 2024. In December, however, it announced the road closure would be extended until March.
In a March 13 notice, the project team confirmed Front Street is reopening to traffic on March 14.
“Front Street will be reopened by 6 a.m. on Friday, March 14,” said the notice. “We appreciate your patience while this closure was in place for girder installation.”
While local traffic has been able to access businesses on Front Street via Frontage Road and the Front Street Mews, through-traffic travelling from downtown New West to Sapperton has been off-limits while the road has been closed.
“All traffic will be reinstated on Front Street,” said the notice.
The closure of Front Street was done so crews working on the Pattullo Bridge replacement project could build a temporary support tower, install steel girders, build the new bridge deck, and build a new drainage outfall under Front Street.
Royal Avenue roadwork
The Pattullo Bridge replacement project team is also notifying community members that roadwork finishing and utility work will be taking place along Royal Avenue starting the week of March 17.
The work, which will take place between First Street and McBride Boulevard, includes: activities in advance of installing new curbs; installation of new curbs; removal of power poles and relocation of overhead powerlines underground; waterproofing of the new Royal Avenue overpass; construction of the multi-use-pathways; and milling and paving.
“While traffic in both directions will be maintained at all times, occasional daytime and nighttime lane closures will be required. Access for pedestrians and cyclists will be generally maintained; however, short detours around work areas may be required,” said the notice. “A small portion of work will also be completed on East Royal Avenue just east of McBride Boulevard.”
According to the notice, the work will start the week of March 17 and will be ongoing into the summer. Single-lane closures on Royal Avenue will be required.
While the majority of work will be completed during the day, work will occasionally continue at night.
“Noisy work activities will be completed during daytime hours,” said the notice.
