Look, let me start off by saying that I don’t live in New Westminster.
I live next door in Burnaby.
So I don’t have to live through what some New West residents have described to me during the past few weeks (also years).
What they described is a constant pounding sound that is emanating from work being done on the Pattullo Bridge replacement project.
“It just never goes away,” wrote one local resident. “I’m glad I don’t need my windows open because that would be intolerable as opposed to just really, really annoying.”
I’ve spoken with friends who live in the area and they all say they can hear the constant banging from the pile driving.
“I’ve really had it,” said a friend. “I get that they builders have no choice, but after years of pile driving from waterfront development projects, it’s all just too much.”
Well, it’s now about to get even worse as the project is adding pile driving on Sundays.
Wow. The volume on the Patullo pile driving is really intense today. #NewWest
— Jana Buhlmann (@baldgrrl) October 21, 2021
Fraser River Partners, which is designing and building the new bridge on behalf of the provincial government, has announced an additional day of work for construction of the bridge’s foundation.
“In-river bridge foundation work on the main tower for the new crossing is underway and will be ongoing for the remainder of the year,” said a Nov. 1 update on the project. “Construction on the foundation close to the New Westminster shoreline is anticipated to start later this year and continue into 2022.”
According to the project team, bridge foundation work involves intermittent pile driving and placement of reinforced steel and concrete. Once the foundations are complete, crews will begin formwork and concrete pours for the tower.
“To expedite bridge foundation construction, and to minimize the amount of in-river work required in 2022, Fraser Crossing Partners plan on undertaking intermittent pile driving on Sundays between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting in November,” said the Nov. 1 update. “This additional day of work allows crews to expedite in-river construction activities when there is the least risk to fish and fish habitat.”
According to Fraser Crossing Partners, intermittent pile driving will occur between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Sundays. No pile driving will be done on holidays.
My heart really goes out to people who just want a quiet life free of pounding noise. These residents have put up with this noise for years and now another day has been added.
So much for that day of rest.
- With reporting by Theresa McManus
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
