Pattullo Bridge Closes Permanently; New 4-Lane Bridge Opens Saturday
The Pattullo Bridge has officially closed, permanently ending its function as a key transit route over the Fraser River. The new four-lane Stal̕əw̓asəm (“Riverview”) Bridge will open to traffic on Saturday, February 14, at 7 a.m., as confirmed by TransLink.
Transition to the New Stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge
As of February 6, both the old and new bridges had been closed to facilitate necessary roadway connections. The Stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge will exclusively accommodate vehicles, marking a shift from the previous arrangements that involved both bridges. The sidewalk on the old Pattullo Bridge will remain accessible to cyclists and pedestrians until February 17.
Future Developments
The complete deconstruction of the Pattullo Bridge is scheduled to start this month and will span two years. On the Surrey side, the installation of a new Highway 17 off-ramp, along with multi-use paths and sidewalks, is anticipated to be completed by mid-2026. This timeline is contingent on the ongoing removal of the Pattullo Bridge.
Funding and Construction Details
The construction of the new bridge comes with a budget of $1.6 billion. The project faced delays and discussions regarding the bridge’s width, with some calling for six lanes instead of four. Additionally, the name “Stal̕əw̓asəm” was chosen to honor the historical ties of First Nations to the area.
Background Information
- The Pattullo Bridge originally opened in 1937.
- It was named after Thomas Dufferin “Duff” Pattullo, who served as Premier of British Columbia from 1933 to 1941.
- Fraser Crossing Partners managed the design and construction of the new Stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge.
The Stal̕əw̓asəm name, pronounced STALL-oh-AW-sum, translates to “place to view the river” in the Indigenous halkomelem language, reflecting B.C.’s ongoing commitment to recognizing the region’s heritage.
The B.C. government will assume ownership and maintenance responsibilities for the new bridge. For more information on the project, updates can be found on the official website at El-Balad.
