The South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (Translink) has given staff the go-ahead to begin preliminary work toward building a new Pattullo Bridge in Surrey, B.C., that will be financed by tolls.

The resolution adopted at a Translink Board meeting on Thursday said:  "The TransLink Board approves the development of a plan for the construction of a new tolled crossing to expedite the replacement of the existing Pattullo Bridge and improvements to related infrastructure.

There will be exploration of partnership opportunities with affected local and senior governments and stakeholders that have an interest in the Pattullo corridor."

The board's decision is based on the results of a consultant's report that concluded it was preferable to build an entirely new bridge rather than invest more money in the existing structure as one half of a twinned span.

Chair Dale Parker said that TransLink has a responsibility to address transportation issues, but that its ability to respond is limited by its financial resources.

"TransLink needs to proceed on the basis of a tolled bridge if it's going to be able to respond with the urgency required to address the problems created by the Pattullo," Parker said.

He said  it normally takes about ten years from decision to opening day. But it is his hope that a new bridge can be built in a shorter time as a remedy for all of the technical limitations imposed by the current 71-year-old crossing.

TransLink CEO Tom Prendergast said the next stages will involve making some fundamental decisions, including where the new bridge will go, which road network improvements will be needed, and whether a new rail crossing will be integrated into the new structure.

"It would cost as much to rehabilitate the Pattullo to provide three lanes for 50 years as it would to add three lanes on a new bridge that will last 100 years. So our direction will be to build an entirely new bridge and tear the old one down," Prendergast said.

For more information, please check the report by Consultant Delcan. It is posted on the Translink website at: http://www.translink.bc.ca