Riverview Bridge Opens Fully This Saturday
After years of anticipation, the Riverview Bridge, also known as the stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge, is set to fully open to traffic this Saturday. This new structure replaces the aging Pattullo Bridge, connecting Surrey and New Westminster, British Columbia.
Opening Details
The official opening is scheduled for 7 a.m. on Saturday, February 14. All four lanes of the new bridge will be accessible, providing much-needed relief for commuters in the region.
Access Points
- McBride Boulevard in New Westminster
- Royal Avenue on-ramp in New Westminster
- King George Boulevard in Surrey
Before this full opening, a single northbound lane was available since late December. However, last week the Pattullo Bridge and its replacement were closed to facilitate final road connections to the new Riverview Bridge.
Permanent Bridge Closure
TransLink, the operator of the Pattullo Bridge, has confirmed that the bridge is permanently closed to vehicles. Nevertheless, the sidewalk will remain open for pedestrians and cyclists until the morning of February 17.
Bridge Features
The newly completed Riverview Bridge boasts modern design elements. Key features include:
- Wider lanes separated by a central median barrier
- Expanded walking and cycling paths in both directions
The provincial government has also pledged improvements to the road networks on both sides, benefiting commuters from New Westminster and Surrey significantly.
Project Cost
The construction of the Riverview Bridge has an estimated cost of $1.637 billion, reflecting the scale and importance of this infrastructure project.
For further updates, listeners can tune in to 1130 NewsRadio Vancouver for traffic reports every ten minutes. More information is available on their X profile @NewsRadioVAN, along with direct traffic alerts via email.
