NEW WESTMINSTER, BC —TransLink is moving forward with plans for seismic improvements to the Pattullo Bridge and rehabilitation of the bridge deck.

Repair work will begin in 2015 following consultation with municipalities and other stakeholders on a traffic management plan.

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 2015.

To manage any disruption to traffic that may arise due to the lane closures, TransLink is committed to developing a traffic management plan that keeps workers and bridge users safe, while considering the economic and community impacts of the project.

Preliminary work on site investigation and detailed design is underway.

Phased construction work is anticipated to begin in the late summer of 2015, and may take between one and three years, depending on how it is undertaken.

The Pattullo Bridge is one of the oldest bridges in the region. As part of annual maintenance work this past summer, contracted engineers closely inspected the bridge deck, and recommended comprehensive deck rehabilitation work in the near term to maintain road safety and bridge functionality.

The Mayors’ Council Transportation Vision calls for the replacement of the existing structure with a tolled four-lane bridge that can expand to six lanes in future. Funding for the project is yet to be secured; however, when funding is secured, the design and construction of a new bridge is expected to take approximately seven to 10 years. In the meantime, TransLink needs to move ahead with necessary work to keep the bridge safe for users until the long-term solution is in place.