TransLink, mayors call for new Pattullo Bridge

TransLink and the mayors of Surrey and New Westminster, B.C., are calling for the province to replace the PattulloBridge, which spans the Fraser River.

The bridge turns 80 in two years, and TransLink says it's not in good enough shape to make it to 90.

"Best outcome? A new bridge," saidFred Cummings, TransLink's vice-president ofengineering and infrastructure management.

"We need to work very closely with the boardand the mayor's council to come up with a solution for a replacement."

• Pattullo Bridge closures coming in summer 2016
• New tolled Pattullo, LRT to Surrey approved in new transportation plan
• Pattullo Bridge fight heats up between Surrey and New West

Fixing it would cost about $100 million and take 18 months.

Instead, Cummings saidTransLinkwould prefer to dominor repairs to keep it functional until a replacement is built. Those repairswould only cost $25 million and take five months.

Two of the cities that would be the most affected by the changes are in favour of TransLink's suggestion.

"New Westminster and Surrey have been concerned with how disruptive construction was going to be on both of our communities," said New Westminster MayorJonathan Cot.

"This puts the focus back on building a brand-new bridge, which is where we really need to go with this project."

SurreyMayor Linda Hepnersaid shewants the new bridge to be a six-lane crossing, with one lane dedicated to cyclists and pedestrians.

Province not in favour

TransLink saida new bridge would cost about $1billion, andwould take two years to design and three years to build.

Premier Christy Clark, however, is not in favour of replacing the aging infrastructure.

"The long-term plan is to get it fixed,"said Clark."I know it's complicated and it's expensive, but it needs to be done."

Clark said the province is committed to paying for a third of the replacement, but there's still no timeline on when that will be.