Overnight closures on the Pattullo Bridge begin this weekend

TransLink has announced that overnight closures will be returning to the Pattullo Bridge starting this weekend.

The bridge will be undergoing closures from Sunday, November 24 to Thursday, December 12, 2019. During this time, one lane will be closed from Sunday to Thursday; the bridge will remain open to traffic in both directions on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Crews will be continuing installations to increase the user safety of the bridge, including seismic activity and wind warning sensors, bridge closure devices, fibre-optic cables, and advanced warning lights and signs.

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  • Pattullo Bridge is getting an advance wind and seismic warning system

As it stands, the Pattullo Bridge is 81 years old and falls short of current seismic and wind loading standards. TransLink says that the bridge would be vulnerable to collapsing during a modestly powerful earthquake or a hurricane-level wind storm.

When the project is complete, the Pattullo Bridge’s new system “will be able to block entry to the bridge in the event of a seismic or high wind event.”

Closures for the Pattullo between November 24 and December 12 are as follows:

Southbound closures for traffic towards Surrey:

• Sunday, November 24 to Thursday, November 28: 10 pm to 5 am, nightly
• Friday, November 29 and Saturday, November 30: No planned closures
• Sunday, December 1 to Tuesday, December 3: 10 pm to 5 am, nightly

Northbound closures for traffic towards New Westminster:

• Wednesday, December 4 and Thursday, December 5: 10 pm to 5 am, nightly
• Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7: No planned closures
• Sunday, December 8 to Thursday, December 12: 10 pm to 5 am, nightly

During these closures, bridge users are advised to use the Port Mann Bridge or Alex Fraser Bridge as alternatives.

TransLink explained in an emailed statement that N19 bus trips will be re-routed over the Queensborough and said customers should plan for an additional 30 minutes of travel time.

Emergency vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians will have full access to the Pattullo Bridge in both directions at all times.

The new system will be activated in the coming weeks, should it successfully pass a number of preliminary tests.