New Westminster and Coquitlam may not see eye to eye on the Bailey bridge, but they may have common ground on the South Fraser Perimeter Road.
Coun. Chuck Puchmayr met with Coquitlam city council on Monday to discuss the South Fraser Perimeter Road’s connection – or lack of – to the new Port Mann Bridge. He said Coquitlam councillor Lou Sekora suggested New Westminster city council make a resolution asking his council to endorse a motion supporting improved connections.
“I think it’s appropriate to stand up and be counted and speak where we have the opportunity to speak and say, ‘this needs to happen and it needs to happen quickly,’” said Coun. Neal Nicholson.
While meeting with Coquitlam, Puchmayr heard how residents of that city are “greatly affected” by the lack of infrastructure. While relations between the two cities are “polarized” on some issues, he said this is clearly an issue that resonated with Coquitlam.
“On this issue, I think we have a strong ally,” he said.
New Westminster city council approved a motion to ask Coquitlam to support a direct connection from the South Fraser Perimeter Road to the Port Mann Bridge.
Earlier this year, the City of New Westminster released a position paper about the Pattullo Bridge. In addition to supporting a four-lane tolled Pattullo Bridge, the city also expressed a need for a more direct connection from South Fraser Perimeter Road to Highway 1, as it believes this has resulted in more heavy trucks on the Pattullo Bridge.
Puchmayr has repeatedly voiced concerns about a 14-kilometre "detour" that forces trucks travelling on South Fraser Perimeter Road to go to 176th Street in order to access the new Port Mann Bridge.
Coun. Betty McIntosh said the Ministry of Transportation has told the city that a direct connection to the Port Mann Bridge isn’t achievable because of the steep- grades from South Fraser Perimeter Road.
“Are we flogging a dead horse here or what?” she questioned.
Jim Lowrie, the city’s director of engineering, said a more direct connection is “quite possible” and several options exist to make a better connection from South Fraser Perimeter Road and the bridge.
Puchmayr said council has seen engineering reports that state the connection is feasible. He said the province has cited “ancient” information.
With files from Tri-Cities NOW
