The Pattullo Bridge has reopened early.
As of 1 p.m. Sunday, TransLink has announced the bridge has reopened in both directions.
The Easter weekend closure of the Pattullo Bridge had given New Westminster residents a chance to get up close and personal with the venerable landmark.
New West residents enjoyed pedestrian- and cyclist-only access to the bridge on Friday, Saturday and part of Sunday, as work on the replacement project shut down vehicle traffic.
Traffic was intended to reopen on Tuesday, April 11, but the work was completed earlier than anticipated.
The closure allowed Fraser Crossing Partners to complete soil densification activities in the roadway at the south end of the bridge in Surrey, plus paving and relocation of the seismic warning system for the existing bridge. According to the project team, the warning system had to be temporarily disconnected and had to be completed with no traffic on the bridge, to ensure the safety of motorists.
TransLink also did some bridge work, including speed sign relocation, line painting and concrete patching. It also did inspections that required rope access onto the overhead bridge truss.
The replacement for the iconic 1937 structure — a $1.377-million project — will be completed sometime in 2024.
See this Q&A regarding the Pattullo replacement project for detailed information.
— with files from Theresa McManus
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, [email protected]
