Busy 4-lane bridge being replaced with 6 lanes, so why will only 4 be open to traffic?
If the plan to replace the aging four-lane bridge connecting two growing Metro Vancouver cities is to add two more lanes to the crossing, why is the province only planning to open four of the new lanes?
It's a question being asked by the Surrey Board of Trade in an open letter to the provincial Ministry of Transportation.
In the letter published online Monday, the board asks why the province and the ministry are planning a six-lane bridge, if only four will be used regularly.
The new bridge will replace the Pattullo Bridge between Surrey and New Westminster, and according to the board, indications are that the "four lanes will suffice for the time being."
The board said it wrote the letter "to determine what it will take to have the new Pattullo Bridge open with six lanes given continued population growth and traffic congestion issues."
The letter, addressed to Transportation Minister Rob Fleming, asks what event would trigger the opening of all six, or how long that's expected to take.
The new bridge is expected to open in 2024, and the board said at that time, all six lanes should be available for drivers. Drivers shouldn't have to wait any longer, for some undetermined point in the future, for a solution to congestion in the area.
Would that point be when a certain population target is reached, the board wondered in the letter, or when other bridges are so backed up it's the only option?
"Replacing a 4-lane bridge with another 4-lane bridge in the face of continued population growth and limited transit options is not productive to ensure we have a resilient economy," Surrey Board of Trade president and CEO Anita Huberman said in the letter.
The board said it's sent other letters in the past. It's now asking for a detailed plan from the ministry that includes what indicators will prompt the full opening of the bridge.
CTV News reached out to the ministry for comment, and received a response the next day.
In an email, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Transportation said the decision to build a four-lane bridge "that is expandable to six lanes" was made after "extensive stakeholder and public engagement," and noted that the decision was made by TransLink and the Mayors' Council.
As for when the expansion to six lanes would occur, it's still unclear.
"The province will monitor the new bridge's traffic performance and will consult with the municipalities and the Mayors' Council to develop an appropriate response to the bridge's traffic performance," the ministry said.
"Expansion to six lanes would be put into place only after consultation among the province, Indigenous groups including local First Nations, the cities of New Westminster and Surrey and the Mayors' Council."
In the event that traffic is widened to six lanes, the walking and cycling lanes will become vehicle lanes, and new walking and cycling paths will have to be added to the outside of the bridge, "cantilevered from the existing structure," the ministry said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Iran fired air defence batteries early Friday morning as explosions could be heard near a major air base near Isfahan, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike following Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.