Editor:
I’m fine with the decision to open the new Pattullo Bridge at four lanes. First, the four new lanes will be wider and will increase traffic flow as trucks will not have to straddle both lanes with their flashers on. Second, the Pattullo was never intended to be a “commuter bridge” between Surrey and downtown Vancouver.
When I want to travel to Tsawwassen or White Rock or South Surrey, the last route I would consider is via the Pattullo Bridge and down King George Boulevard.
I can reach those southern destinations much more easily and efficiently via the South Fraser Perimeter Road and Hwy. 91 to Hwy. 99. Why would I battle the lights, crosswalks, turns, and speed zones along KGB?
Similarly, if I lived in Delta, Surrey, or White Rock, I doubt very much I’d try to reach downtown Vancouver by crossing the Pattullo Bridge and then doing battle with the lights, turns, crosswalks and speed zones along McBride, 10th Avenue, and Canada Way or Cariboo Road. I’d opt for Highwaya 1 or the Knight/Oak Street bridges.
Now that the tolls are gone, the vast majority of the traffic using the Pattullo Bridge seems to be either local to New West or Burnaby or uses Columbia/Brunette or Royal/Stewardson to head north or south through New Westminster. Right now, at four lanes, “it ain’t broke” so don’t “fix it” by opening six lanes.
Kar Moser, New Westminster
