|
Written by THE CANADIAN PRESS
|
|
Thursday, 31 July 2008 |
Related Items
No keywords found
VANCOUVER - The aging Pattullo Bridge between Surrey and New Westminster, B.C., will be replaced with a new toll bridge - and it could happen sooner than expected.
The regional transit agency, TransLink, has voted to start preliminary work on a new span after receiving a consultant's report that said a new bridge over the Fraser River would cost just as much as upgrading the 71-year-old Pattullo.
TransLink chairman Dale Parker says the agency's financial resources are limited and tolls will be needed to pay for the bridge.
He also says while it normally takes about 10 years build such a span, he hopes a new bridge can be up in a shorter time, considering the problems with the narrow Pattullo crossing, where 28 people have died since 1986.
TransLink CEO Tom Prendergast says the next stage will involve deciding where the new bridge will go, what road networks will be needed and whether a new rail crossing will be integrated into the structure.
If the bridge is tolled, it would be the third pay-as-you-go span in Metro Vancouver, after the new Golden Ears Bridge, which is still under construction, and the planned Port Mann twin bridge.
The mayors of both municipalities said they applauded the decision but had their concerns.
New Westminster Wayne Wright said he had a scheduled a meeting with Translink for Friday to find out what would be happening to the old bridge in the meantime.
"Quite frankly we're telling them we need (construction done) sooner rather than later," he told CKNW.
Meanwhile, Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts told the station that while building the bridge was the right decision, she was concerned about the cost.
"It's going to cost considerable dollars to replace that bridge," she said.
Watts said that the provincial and federal government were going to have to step up with funding since she didn't think the tolls would be enough.
The bridge is considered one of the main arteries between the two municipalities. Vehicle accidents on the bridge have, in the past, stalled traffic for hours, stranding thousands of motorists.
 |
|
Last Updated ( Sunday, 07 September 2008 )
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed
