The Pattullo Bridge replacement project
When complete in 2024, the Pattullo Bridge replacement will connect Surrey and New Westminster across the Fraser River
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amed after British Columbia’s 22nd premier, Duff Pattullo, the Pattullo Bridge has been a
historic connection across the Fraser River between two Metro Vancouver communities − Surrey and New Westminster − since 1937. But now, after 85 years of service, the venerable, 1,227-metre arch bridge starting to show its age. The Pattullo Bridge is among the oldest bridges in Metro Vancouver and has exceeded its designed end-of-life by more than 30 years, and simply does not meet many modern design standards. The existing deck’s four lanes are too narrow and are missing a centre median barrier. Additionally, the current bridge only has a single narrow sidewalk for pedestrian and bicycle use, with no barrier protection from incoming traffic. 10 PIC Magazine • June 2022
Because of this, it was announced in 2018 that the B.C. government would be moving forward with the construction of a new $1.377 billion Pattullo Bridge replacement approximately 100 metres upstream of the existing bridge. “This is an essential transportation link that British Columbians rely on, and it’s our job to make sure it’s safe and gets people moving better,” Premier Horgan said in a press release at the time. “Replacing the Pattullo Bridge will help people get home to their families quickly and safely, while creating good jobs for local workers.” The Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project is being delivered solely by the Province of British Columbia through Transportation Investment Corporation (TI Corp), which has been tasked with overseeing the construction. When complete the new Pattullo Bridge will
By Paul Adair be owned, operated, and maintained by the B.C. Government. Fraser Crossing Partners (FCP) − a joint-partnership between Acciona Infrastructure Canada and Aecon Constructors − was selected to undertake the design build finance contract, with the long-span bridge design by Leonhardt, Andrä und Partner Beratende Ingenieure, Hatch Corporation, and EXP Services. The new bridge will run approximately 1,235 metres across the Fraser River and include a 530-metre-long, cable-stayed main span that features four lanes built to modern safety standards. And while the new crossing will open with two lanes in each direction, same as today, it will now include a centre safety median barrier and wider lanes to accommodate both passenger and commercial vehicles, as well as have walking and cycling lanes on both sides of the bridge that are separated from traffic.
