Pattullo Bridge to close permanently on Saturday

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VANCOUVER — All four lanes of the stal̕əw̓ asəm Bridge will open early Saturday (Feb. 14) morning, marking a major milestone in the Pattullo Bridge replacement project and the permanent closure of the Pattullo Bridge.

Project officials say the new crossing will open to traffic at 7 a.m. At the same time, the Pattullo Bridge will close permanently, and preparations will begin for its removal.

Drivers will be able to access the stal̕əw̓ asəm Bridge via McBride Boulevard and the new Royal Avenue on-ramp in New Westminster, as well as King George Boulevard in Surrey.

While the bridge will open to vehicles, work is continuing on multi-use lanes. Pedestrians and cyclists will not be able to use the bridge until the east-side multi-use path opens later this spring. Information on pedestrian and cyclist access, including a temporary shuttle service for cyclists, is available on the project website.

The removal of the Pattullo Bridge is scheduled to begin late this month. Crews will start by bringing in equipment and establishing safe work zones. Some preparation work is necessary before concrete and steel removal can begin.

The first visible signs of the removal will be on a section of the bridge over Columbia Street. Construction will also begin on the new Columbia Street on-ramp and the East Columbia multi-use path overpass. The new Columbia Street on-ramp to the stal̕əw̓ asəm Bridge is expected to open this summer.

Motorists should be prepared to deal with several traffic changes. The existing Columbia Street loop-ramp to the Pattullo Bridge will close on Saturday. Access to the new bridge will be via McBride Boulevard and the Royal Avenue on-ramp.