Pattullo Bridge Repairs Budget Doubles to $299 million

Dec 19 2017, 4:30 pm

The aging Pattullo Bridge is in dire need of a replacement, and although plans for a new bridge have been set in motion some are questioning why TransLink is also budgeting $299 million for repairing the bridge.

The recently announced new cost to repair the bridge is double the original estimation, even though the bridge could be demolished soon after those repairs are complete.

Now the question everyone should be asking is, why not just replace the bridge instead of doing costly and ultimately unnecessary repairs?

The Pattullo Bridge along with the Massey Tunnel are two projects that desperately need to be upgraded. With the Pattullo built in 1937 and the Massey built in 1959, both structures are among the oldest in the region.

The B.C. Ministry of Transportation has already announced a new 10 lane bridge will replace the inadequate Massey Tunnel. A similar decision needs to take place with respect to the future of the Pattullo Bridge, which falls under TransLink jurisdiction.

A decision on the bridge’s future is expected by early next year as a few options are under review to replace the current bridge.

The repair work is expected to be completed by 2017. However, the amount of repairs done may be mitigated if a new bridge is announced.

 

Image: Wayne Weber

DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

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