The six-month closure of Front Street is stretching out to nine months.
The Pattullo Bridge replacement project team announced Dec. 10 that the closure of Front Street, between Begbie and East Columbia streets, will now extend into March.
“The Front Street closure will now extend to March 14, 2025, to complete the girder and deck panel installation over Front Street,” said the notice. “We appreciate your patience while this work is underway.”
According to the project team, this section of Front Street has been closed to through traffic since June for crews to build a temporary support tower, install steel girders, build the new bridge deck, and build a new drainage outfall under Front Street.
“Access to businesses in downtown New Westminster, including on Front Street Mews, is maintained,” said the notice. “Regular traffic will continue to be detoured to Columbia Street and trucks will continue to use official truck routes based on applicable time restrictions, which include Royal Avenue and Braid Street/East Eighth Avenue during the day and alternate routes at night. All traffic pattern changes and detours will be well signed, and traffic control personnel will be on site.”
Fraser Crossing Partners, which was hired to design and build the Pattullo Bridge replacement, implemented a six-month closure of Front Street starting the week of June 17.
In May, B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure issued a news release stating the Pattullo Bridge replacement project was facing delays and was not expected to open until the fall of 2025. It said the project, which had started during the early days of the pandemic, has faced “significant” challenges, including inflationary pressures and global supply issues related to the delivery of specialized components from around the world.
“In addition, the bridge tower construction took longer than expected,” said the news release. “As a result, the new bridge is expected to open in fall 2025.”
No update has been provided regarding the opening of the new crossing.
