New Pattullo Bridge to be renamed with First Nations name in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language | Daily Hive

New Pattullo Bridge to be renamed with new First Nations name in the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language

May 2025 construction progress on the new Pattullo Bridge. (Government of BC)

New Indigenous artwork has been embedded into a large surface beneath the recently opened Highway 17-Old Yale Road overpass, marking the first major art installation as part of the new replacement Pattullo Bridge project.

The installation — an embossed concrete mural — features a design by Kwantlen First Nation artist q̓ʷɑt̓ic̓ɑ, Phyllis Atkins. Located on the northeast retaining wall of the new overpass, the artwork depicts sturgeon and eulachon, two fish species native to the Fraser River that hold deep cultural and ecological importance for First Nations communities.

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Traffic was redirected onto the new overpass in early June 2025, as construction continues on the broader initiative to replace the aging Pattullo Bridge. In recognition of the historic and ongoing Indigenous presence in the region, the project includes a comprehensive First Nations cultural recognition program.

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q̓ʷɑt̓icɑ (Phyllis Atkins) artwork is embossed into the concrete retaining wall along the northeast side of the Highway 17/Old Yale Road overpass, visible to people traveling under the new overpass in Surrey. (Government of BC)

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As well, it has also been revealed that the new crossing will not retain the 88-year-old “Pattullo Bridge” name, which honours Thomas Dufferin Pattullo, the Premier of British Columbia from 1933 to 1941. He oversaw the the bridge’s original construction during the Great Depression, and the province’s initial wartime effort in the Second World War.

In its place, the Musqueam First Nation and Kwantlen First Nation are working together to bestow a new name in the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language. While the new name has not yet been announced, further details are expected later this year.

This follows a broader regional movement to restore Indigenous place names.

It is also already known that the forthcoming new immersed tunnel replacement for the George Massey Tunnel will not retain the crossing’s existing name.

Bhagyashree Chatterjee/Daily Hive

Yesterday, the City of Vancouver officially unveiled new street signage for šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmasəm Street, the new official legal name replacing Trutch Street in the Kitsilano neighbourhood. The name, in the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language of the Musqueam, translates to “Musqueamview Street.” The signage includes both the Indigenous name “šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmasəm St” and its English translation “Musqueamview St.”

The new crossing replacing the Pattullo Bridge is still slated to open in Fall 2025, following about two years of delays. Upon opening, the existing 1937-built, four-lane bridge will be decommissioned and carefully dismantled.

As previously reported by Daily Hive Urbanized, the cost of the new bridge has risen by 19 per cent or $260 million from $1.377 billion to $1.637 billion.

May 2025 construction progress on the new Pattullo Bridge. (Government of BC)

This new bridge design provides four wider vehicle lanes — two lanes in each direction, separated by a protective concrete centre barrier divider — and wide protected pathways for pedestrians and cyclists.

There will also be improvements to the road network connections on the New Westminster and Surrey sides of the crossing, including a new off-ramp from the bridge’s eastbound direction onto the westbound direction of Highway 17 (South Fraser Perimeter Road).

As of early May 2025, 44 of the 80 cable stays were installed on the new bridge. As well, a milestone was reached with the seamless structural connection of the bridge deck with the Surrey side of the crossing.

June 2025 construction progress on the new Pattullo Bridge. (Government of BC)

June 2025 construction progress on the new Pattullo Bridge. (Government of BC)

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