Planning is underway to make seismic improvements to the aging Pattullo Bridge.
TransLink is proceeding with plans for seismic improvements to the Pattullo and rehabilitation of the bridge deck. The work will begin in 2015, after TransLink has consulted with municipalities and other stakeholders on a traffic management plan.
According to a TransLink press release, several lane closure scenarios are being evaluated, with a decision on the number of lanes to be closed and the duration of the closures expected in the first quarter of 2014.
TransLink plans to manage any disruption to traffic arising from the lane closures by developing a traffic management plan that keeps workers and bridge users safe, and also considers the economic and community impacts of the project.
TransLink states that the work is expected to begin in the late summer of 2015 and could take between one and three years, depending on which scenario is selected.
Pattullo Bridge was closed to traffic for a couple of weekend closures in the summer of 2014, at which time routine, annual maintenance took place. Many New Westminster residents welcomed the closure, as there was less traffic on city streets.
As part of the work conducted in the summer, engineers inspected the bridge and recommended comprehensive deck rehabilitation work be done soon to maintain road safety and bridge functionality.
In the long-term, the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation’s vision includes replacement of the Pattullo Bridge, one of the oldest bridges in the region. It hopes the existing crossing would be replaced with a tolled, four-lane bridge, which could be expanded to six lanes in the future if needed.
Along with replacement of the Pattullo Bridge, the mayors’ council’s 30-year vision for transportation includes a 25 per cent increase in bus services across the region, more Seabus and night bus services, light rail transit in Surrey and Langley, rapid transit along the Broadway corridor and more.
In order to implement the long-term vision for the region’s transit and transportation networks, the mayors’ council is seeking additional funding sources and will take the issue to a referendum in the spring, as mandated by the province.
The mayors’ council is hoping residents across the region will support a 0.5 per cent increase to the provincial sales tax to generate funding to expand the regional transit and transportation systems.
