Major Traffic Disruption Looms as Pattullo Bridge Closes for Weeklong Transition
The Pattullo Bridge, a critical transportation link between Surrey and New Westminster, will be closed for an entire week starting Friday evening at 8 p.m. This closure is necessary to facilitate the final connection of road networks to the new stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge, which will eventually replace the aging Pattullo crossing. The shutdown is expected to create significant traffic challenges for thousands of daily commuters in both municipalities.
Expert Predicts Widespread Commuting Challenges
Andy Yan, professor of urban studies and director of the City program at Simon Fraser University, warns that despite advance notice, traffic congestion may be unavoidable. "A lot of that week is going to be moving onto the Port Mann, and also perhaps to the Alex Fraser Bridge, so I think it probably won't be a great week to be a commuter," Yan stated. He expressed surprise that the closure begins right before the weekend, noting it will create inconvenience for many people.
Yan acknowledged that transportation authorities likely minimized the shutdown period as much as possible, suggesting the closure was ultimately unavoidable for the transition work. According to TransLink data, the Pattullo Bridge typically carries between 60,000 to 75,000 vehicles weekly, with most of this traffic expected to divert to other areas of Surrey and New Westminster during the closure.
Background on the Bridge Replacement Project
The replacement for the Pattullo Bridge has been in development since a 2016 report identified multiple safety concerns with the original structure. The new crossing, named stal̕əw̓asəm (Riverview in English), connects Surrey's King George Boulevard to New Westminster's McBride Boulevard and comes with a price tag of $1.673 billion.
The project has experienced numerous delays since construction approval in 2018. Originally scheduled to open in 2023, the stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge features wider lanes and a center median separating traffic for improved safety. It opened temporarily at the end of December but closed shortly after as construction continued.
Transition Plan and Future Bridge Configuration
During the weeklong closure, both the old Pattullo Bridge and new stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge will be completely closed to allow for roadway adjustments on either end. Once this work is completed, both bridges will reopen with four lanes of traffic split between them. The Pattullo Bridge will eventually close permanently at a later date after the transition is complete.
Yan suggested that commuters consider public transit alternatives during the closure. "The optimist in me is that people are going to take transit," he said. "Consider taking SkyTrain especially since it basically follows the same route." However, he acknowledged that public transit isn't a perfect solution, noting how busy SkyTrain stations and bus stops can become during peak periods.
The transportation disruption comes as the final phase of a lengthy bridge replacement project that aims to improve safety and traffic flow between these two important British Columbia municipalities. Commuters are advised to plan alternative routes and allow extra travel time throughout the weeklong closure period.
