[officedweller]

From the Leader:

Surrey North Delta Leader
New tolled Pattullo to be built

By Jeff Nagel - Surrey North Delta Leader

Published: July 31, 2008 4:00 PM
Updated: July 31, 2008 4:50 PM TransLink will build a new toll bridge to replace the 71-year-old Pattullo Bridge, the scene of many fatal crashes over the years.

"Our direction will be to build an entirely new bridge and tear the old one down," said TransLink CEO Tom Prendergast.

Staff have been ordered to begin preliminary work.

The cost of the new span – likely approaching $1 billion – must be financed by tolls, board chair Dale Parker said.

"TransLink needs to proceed on the basis of a tolled bridge if it's going to be able to respond with the urgency required to address the problems created by the Pattullo," he said.

TransLink intends to seek partnerships with affected local and senior governments and other stakeholders with an interest in the corridor.

The decision means a permanent solution to the dangers and fears many motorists experience on the Pattullo.

But the wait could be long.

It normally takes 10 years from a decision to a completed bridge.

Parker said he hopes the new bridge can be built faster than that.

The board followed the recommendation of consultants, who concluded it make little financial sense to try to fix the existing bridge and use it in conjunction with a second new span.