Pattullo Bridge Replacement | Columbia, Canada

Project Description

Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project

The Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project is a major transportation infrastructure initiative in British Columbia, Canada, aimed at replacing the original Pattullo Bridge, which was constructed in 1937 to carry vehicular and pedestrian traffic across the Fraser River, connecting the cities of Surrey and New Westminster.

Over decades of service, the original bridge became a critical regional link. However, with continuous population growth and rising traffic volumes, its narrow lanes and absence of a median barrier created significant safety and operational constraints. Despite various mitigation measures implemented to improve safety, the aging structure exceeded its design life and no longer complied with modern seismic design standards, prompting the Province of British Columbia to approve a full bridge replacement.

New Bridge Overview

The new Pattullo Bridge is designed to deliver a safer, more efficient, and future-ready crossing. The project features a 1,233-meter-long, toll-free, four-lane bridge, with provisions to allow future expansion to six lanes as traffic demand grows. Modern, wider traffic lanes are separated by a central median barrier, significantly enhancing safety for all users.

Adopting a cable-stayed structural system, the bridge includes a 332-meter main span, providing both structural efficiency and a distinctive visual identity. Dedicated multi-use pathways for pedestrians and cyclists are located on both sides of the bridge, supporting active transportation and improving connectivity for surrounding communities.

Community & Environmental Integration

The bridge design incorporates multiple public viewing platforms, offering panoramic views of the Fraser River and celebrating the natural landscape of the region. The new structure will be constructed upstream of the existing Pattullo Bridge, adjacent to the historic New Westminster Rail Bridge, which opened in 1904.

Once the new bridge is fully open to traffic, the existing Pattullo Bridge will be demolished and removed, completing the transition to a modern, resilient transportation corridor.

Project Significance

The Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project represents a long-term investment in public safety, seismic resilience, sustainable transportation, and regional mobility, ensuring reliable cross-river connectivity for current and future generations.