VANCOUVER – Lower tolls on the Port Mann Bridge should be one of the options looked at while work is done on the Pattullo Bridge starting next year says New Westminster Mayor Jonathan Cote.
“I think that’s one option that does need to be looked at,” he said. “I think anything that can help during the 18-month construction period to relieve some of the congestion that’s going to be occurring around the Pattullo Bridge I think needs to be looked at.”
Translink announced on Thursday that in order to make the bridge deck functional and safe, it will start upgrading the 78-year-old bridge in mid-2016. The construction means both lane closures and restrictions will be put in place.
Two lanes — one in each direction — will remain open during the day but all lanes will be closed at night and on the weekends. TransLink also notes that during construction, lane widths will be narrow and therefore heavy trucks with three or more axles will not be able to use the bridge.
As for pedestrians and cyclists, they too will need to find another route as the sidewalk will be closed at all times during construction.
“It’s going to have some big impacts on the traffic networks, not only in New Westminster but Metro Vancouver,” said Cote. “I think it clearly shows that in our region our transportation infrastructure is aging and the population’s growing and we need to do something about that.”
WATCH: Pattullo Bridge gets millions in maintenance but extensive delays expected:
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