Pattullo Bridge to be closed for July weekend for repairs

The Pattullo Bridge is going to be closed to drivers for one weekend in July so repairs can be made to the deck on the south side.

Translink says in a release the repairs are needed because potholes that occurred last winter were temporarily patched and now the underlying concrete deck needs to be more permanently repaired.

The bridge will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday, July 14 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 17. Emergency vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to use the bridge during this time.

Translink says the 80-year-old bridge has already outlived its design life by 30 years so it requires regular maintenance and repair work to keep the bridge operational.

During the closure, drivers can use the Alex Fraser or Port Mann bridges.

More than 80,000 vehicles cross the bridge on a typical weekday.

TransLink is currently completing the preliminary bridge design and undergoing an environmental assessment for the Pattullo Replacement Project. Construction is expected to start in 2019 once funding is secured.

The bridge has been closed for multiple weekends in years past in order for repairs to be made.