New Bridge Design // Connections in New Westminster // Connections in Surrey // Environmental Assessment
The stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge is now open, connecting the communities of Surrey and New Westminster. Deconstruction of the Pattullo Bridge is underway.
The stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge is a four-lane, toll-free bridge that will provide important improvements for all users, including people who are driving, cycling or walking, as well as communities on either side of the bridge. These improvements include:
- A safer crossing for all bridge users with modern, wider lanes, separated by a centre median barrier
- Dedicated walking and cycling lanes, separated from traffic by a barrier on both sides of the bridge
- Better connections to, from and near the bridge
The stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge will improve safety and reliability for drivers, cyclists and walkers, as well as goods movement. It was designed to meet modern seismic, structural, and roadway design standards.
The stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge is locatedjust upstream and northeast of the Pattullo Bridge and will optimize the use of the existing road network and travel patterns. Deconstruction of the Pattullo Bridge is underway. The new bridge has been built to allow for potential future expansion to six lanes. Learn more about the stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge opening
New Bridge Design
The new bridge design includes two in-river piers, reduced from the six the current bridge has in the river. This design, with one tower and fewer piers, results in:
- Reduced construction activities in the river
- Easier navigation of the river due to less infrastructure in the water
- Reduced in-river footprint with fewer direct impacts on aquatic habitat
The new design also accommodates the City of New Westminster’s future waterfront greenway, and includes habitat development and site restoration in Surrey.
Connections in New Westminster
The new bridge connects directly to McBride Boulevard and Royal Avenue and has a new direct off-ramp to East Columbia Street. A new on-ramp from Columbia Street is under construction, as well as improved walking and cycling paths to facilitate better east-west travel across the city and over the bridge.
Many urban design features are being incorporated into the Project, including boulevards, landscaping, street furniture and wayfinding.
Connections in Surrey
The new bridge connects directly to King George Boulevard, and a new off-ramp will connect the bridge to westbound Highway 17. Improved walking and cycling paths will connect to the bridge and existing greenways.
The new grade-separated Old Yale Road overpass improves traffic flow on Highway 17.
Bridge Road will be upgraded to become a two-way road with improved pedestrian and cyclist paths.
Updated bridge connections can be found here.
Environmental Assessment
The Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project went through an environmental assessment led by the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO); following the completion of the environmental assessment, the project received an Environmental Assessment Certificate from the EAO under British Columbia’s Environmental Assessment Act.
The Project has also received a Project and Environmental Review Project Permit from the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.
More information on the EAO’s environmental assessment process can be found on the EAO project page.
More information on the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s review process can be found here.