British Columbia’s $1.22B Bridge project ramps up for late 2025 opening
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Once a steel lifeline connecting Surrey and New Westminster, the Pattullo Bridge is nearing the end of its era. Towering beside the 88-year-old structure, British Columbia’s new cable-stayed bridge is on track for completion by the end of 2025, a timeline revised after years of pandemic-induced delays, inflation-driven cost adjustments and global supply chain disruptions.
Originally opened in 1937, the Pattullo Bridge has long served as a crucial Fraser River crossing for commuters and commercial traffic. Over the decades, the aging truss span became a pinch point for congestion and a safety concern, with narrow lanes and minimal protections for cyclists and pedestrians. The replacement project, now budgeted at $1.22 billion, is part of a broader effort by the province to modernize critical infrastructure and support future regional growth.
From procurement to pandemic
The provincial government first awarded the design-build-finance contract in 2020 to Fraser Crossing Partners, a joint venture between Aecon Group Inc. and Acciona Infrastructure Canada. At financial close, the bridge was valued at $1.05 billion, with expectations that it would open by 2023.
That estimate unraveled as the COVID-19 pandemic rippled across global logistics networks. Key materials — including structural steel and precision-fabricated stay cables — faced months-long procurement bottlenecks. Additional layers of challenge came from labor shortages and health restrictions at construction sites. These cumulative factors delayed the project’s opening by nearly two years and pushed its inflation-adjusted cost higher.
Despite these hurdles, the Transportation Investment Corporation, the provincial body overseeing the development, confirmed that the project remains on budget following scope and schedule revisions. In its latest update, the agency noted that all major components of the structure have been erected, with final cable installations expected this fall.
Engineering a modern Fraser River Crossing
The new bridge’s defining feature is its 548-foot central tower, now a commanding presence on the Fraser River skyline. The cable-stayed design was selected not just for aesthetic or structural reasons, but also to eliminate four of the six in-river piers required by the original truss structure. This reduces navigational hazards for marine traffic and minimizes environmental disruption to the riverbed.
Engineered to accommodate future traffic growth, the new span features four wider lanes with capacity for a sixth lane if needed. It also introduces modern safety upgrades that were absent from its predecessor: a central concrete barrier, enhanced lighting and separated lanes for pedestrians and cyclists on both sides.
In a nod to long-term maintenance, the bridge includes a gantry system designed specifically for cable inspections. This system allows for routine checks without the need for major lane closures, a first for any bridge in the province.
Community, compliance and construction
British Columbia’s infrastructure ambitions have increasingly tied economic development to social responsibility. The Pattullo project was built under the Community Benefits Agreement framework, which prioritizes hiring of local, Indigenous and underrepresented workers. The initiative has created jobs, training opportunities and apprenticeships that extend beyond the construction zone.
In March 2025, the project passed a key compliance milestone. An inspection by the BC Environmental Assessment Office confirmed that the construction teams had met all sediment control, dust management and spill prevention requirements. Crews continue to work through finishing stages, including paving, barrier installations and lane markings.
Traffic detours in Surrey and New Westminster remain active while construction crews prepare to transfer flow onto the new span. Once traffic is shifted, the original Pattullo Bridge will be dismantled in phases, with full demolition expected to extend into 2026.
A toll-free promise and a strategic investment
When it opens, the bridge will operate without tolls, a policy decision that aligns with the province’s wider approach to equitable transportation. The government has positioned the new crossing as a strategic investment not only in transportation but in regional economic development. With wider lanes and more efficient access, it is expected to support smoother goods movement across the Lower Mainland while reducing commuter congestion.
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