$1.22B Pattullo Bridge Replacement Aims for Late-2025 Opening in British Columbia
The long-awaited replacement of British Columbia's Pattullo Bridge is nearing completion after several years of delays, reshaping the connection between Surrey and New Westminster. Provincial authorities now expect the new bridge to open in late 2025, nearly two years later than originally planned.
The new structure will be a four-lane cable-stayed bridge, replacing the 1937 truss bridge that spans the Fraser River, one of the busiest commuter routes in the region.
Project Overview
- The project is managed by the province’s Transportation Investment Corp.
- In 2020, the design-build-finance contract was awarded to Fraser Crossing Partners, a joint venture between Aecon Group Inc. and Acciona Infrastructure Canada Inc.
- Initial project valuation was about $1.05 billion; current estimates have risen to approximately $1.22 billion due to inflation and currency adjustments.
Delays and Challenges
The project timeline was first reported in early 2020, with work expected to begin that spring and completion targeted for 2023. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and associated global supply-chain issues, especially in steel and cable supplies, delayed procurement and pushed the completion date back by nearly two years.
When ENR last reported on the project in early 2020, work was set to begin that spring with completion expected by 2023. The pandemic and related supply-chain disruptions—particularly in steel and cable production—extended procurement timelines and pushed delivery nearly two years behind.
The Pattullo Bridge replacement represents a critical infrastructure upgrade aimed at improving commuter flow and safety between Surrey and New Westminster.
Author's summary: The Pattullo Bridge replacement project in British Columbia, now valued at $1.22 billion, faces near completion with a delayed opening projected for late 2025, overcoming pandemic-related setbacks.