If you’re planning to drive between the north and south sides of the Fraser River on Thursday night, you won’t be able to use the Pattullo Bridge.
TransLink has announced that both lanes of the bridge will be closed from 10 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8 until 5 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 9. The Pattullo Bridge will be closed to vehicles as part of an annual inspection being done to ensure it continues to be safe and reliable for bridge users.
“The closure is necessary to test the Seismic Early Warning and Wind Monitoring System on the bridge,” said a TransLink news release. “The bridge will remain open to pedestrians, cyclists and first responders in both directions at all times.”
TransLink is encouraging Pattullo Bridge users to take the Port Mann or Alex Fraser bridges as alternatives.
According to TransLink, N19 NightBus trips affected by the closure will be rerouted over the Alex Fraser and Queensborough bridges between New Westminster and Scott Road stations. It’s warning customers to plan for up to 30 minutes of additional travel time.
The Pattullo Bridge recently turned 85 years old, having opened on Nov. 15, 1937.
While TransLink is responsible for this week’s closure of the Pattullo, the Pattullo Bridge replacement project team has had several nighttime lane closures as part of that project. The new $1.377-billion bridge is expected to open in 2024.
