New Westminster asks for tolls and four lanes on new Pattullo Bridge

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      If a new bridge is built to replace the Pattullo Bridge, the City of New Westminster wants it to still have four lanes.

      The city also says it should be tolled.

      In an announcement today (March 5), the city argued such a replacement bridge would "lower demand for car travel over the bridge, and in effect, promote the use of alternative transportation modes". New West has complained of increased traffic as a result of tolls on the new Port Mann Bridge.

      “The Pattullo Bridge connection is a crucial part of the local transportation network but its rehabilitation or replacement must be done in a way that is consistent with City and regional policy objectives,” Mayor Wayne Wright said in a news release. “In particular, we need to make it clear that any solution offered does not bring more traffic into our City’s street network, which is already at capacity.”

      New West would also be okay with a new four-lane bridge linking Surrey and Coquitlam along with a two- or three-lane rehabilitation of the Pattullo Bridge.

      However, Surrey politicians favour a new six-lane Pattullo Bridge.

      Comments

      10 Comments

      blah

      Mar 5, 2014 at 6:08pm

      Of course they want tolls. All ANY government in BC wants is more of taxpayers money.

      Let's Look At A Map...

      Mar 5, 2014 at 6:34pm

      We need a new stretch of road from the bend on King George straight down the hill to Bridgeview & South Fraser Way.
      From there the bridge can cross to Fraser Mills. landing between the foot of Braid & the western end of United Blvd.
      At that point, (and no where else on the map) easy exits are possible to any of Lougheed Hwy, Hwy 1, two Skytrain lines, Brunette St. to Front, etc...

      So let's make it a six lane bridge linking New West, Surrey, and Coquitlam. Something impressive.

      With some imagination couldn't we reinvent the Patullo as a public-private partnership? Say, a shopping mall? The only one of its kind, a mall like that would be a Surrey/New West tourist attraction. Especially linked up with pedestrian walk and bike ways to the New West waterfront park and NW Quay.

      Amused and Amazed

      Mar 5, 2014 at 8:38pm

      That is an excellent suggestion . . . too bad it will probably never happen!!! One can only hope!!! Although the Port Mann is a start - somehow they could connect them together - would be interesting to see though!!

      Donald

      Mar 6, 2014 at 1:34am

      "lower demand for car travel over the bridge, and in effect, promote the use of alternative transportation modes"

      'car travel' is already declining (only increased on the Pattulo because of the tolls on the new Port Mann) and it is nice that they what to 'promote the use of alternative transportation modes' but why is that the only mention they get?

      Not only would it be nice to hear support for two bicycle lanes on a new Pattulo, instead of hearing that "the City of New Westminster wants it to still have four lanes", but a really progressive bridge would have two separated bicycle lanes (instead of one mixed use sidewalk), and provide level path onto the Scott road hill (which would cut the climb almost in half and make the trip easier for everyone)

      Mark

      Mar 6, 2014 at 1:37pm

      Alternative transportation? The skytrain is completely packed during rush hour,and many residents have to commute all the way to Burnaby or Vancouver. Bike lanes will not solve this problem. Translink needs to seriously increase its service.

      Way Too Many Tolls.

      Mar 6, 2014 at 7:54pm

      Get Rid Of All The Tolls On All Bridges, Build More Bridges For Easy Access To Where You Need To Go.No More Congestion.

      Will Rice

      Mar 7, 2014 at 1:14am

      The provincial government built the Port Mann bridge under a funding plan where tolls were inherently, contractually, as much a part of the bridge structure as cables and concrete slabs. The province committed to that inanity - but expects New Westminster to pay . . . their toll.

      We in New Westminster recognize the value of the current bridge as useful to local traffic. It's thru traffic which endangers our families, erodes quality of life, & threatens to reduce British Columbia's living birthplace to a 'Point of Interest' sign to be ignored by the daily stampeding herd. (We know the sign would be ignored because that is what is commonly done with serious signs prohibiting left turns and rolling rights that - leading to a horrific increase in pedestrian fatalities. One young woman dying on cold wet pavement indelibly underscored the unacceptable price of the convenience of those who choose suburban over urban life.

      The reasonable option is the compromise the cities at both ends of the Patullo see. A bridge designed to carry local traffic. Tolled to discourage its abuse by others as a cheap way out of paying for the bridge that was built at their insistence and for their benefit.

      Here's another way to reduce the abuse of the Patullo. VERY low speed limits during peak hours. Parking lot speeds that protect our loved ones as they move about these neighborhoods. If both province and transit authority have the will to do so - then perhaps some of our more civic-minded can 'lead' the morning mass with side by side 'pilot' vehicles acting as a speed-governor - 10kph sounds about right.

      When those inclined to put us in inconvenient, uncomfortable even dangerous boxes - labelled "for your convenience" - are unwilling or unable to think outside of those boxes it would seem only reasonably civic-minded to do the thinking for ourselves.

      The powers that be painted themselves into this traffic corner - keep us out of it.
      Just saying.

      WTF

      Mar 7, 2014 at 11:04am

      Seriously? After all the gross mismanagement and pissing away of Public money by all Politicians and Translink in particular, why should we accept Tolls with the high Tax on Fuel and Roads already in place.

      And what idiot would not want more people to drive into and out of their City? It helps the local business (and Gas Stations) generate more Jobs if volume increases typically some of that volume of people stop by as well it's free advertising for your City if you can build an attractive enough City to lure people in instead of a dreary mid 80's derelict hole like now.

      If this idiot wants Tolls so bad tell him to Toll New West Streets that way no one will come by that s*** hole and it can go into bankruptcy straight in the River.

      Eric Doherty

      Mar 8, 2014 at 1:24pm

      This article leaves out a crucial point. New Westminster's documents make it clear that they think refurbishing the Pattullo is the best option. They are advancing a new four lane bridge as a second-best option. See page 3