One lane on Pattullo Bridge replacement to open Christmas Eve

After years of construction, delays, and lots of money, one northbound lane on the Pattullo Bridge replacement is set to open Wednesday.

The Ministry of Transportation hasn’t confirmed to 1130 NewsRadio what time the lane will be operational, but says traffic will be switched to the stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge, or Riverview Bridge, in phases to allow for completion of the tie-ins to existing roadways on either side.

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The northbound lane opening is just Phase One.

The provincial government previously said all lanes of the bridge are expected to open to traffic by February.

“Subsequent phases will begin in January and involve various lane configurations, including a one-week closure of both bridges anticipated in mid to late January. This work is weather dependent, and specific dates will be communicated when they are confirmed,” adds the ministry.

The new crossing will include what’s described as modern, wider lanes separated by a centre median barrier, and wider walking and cycling paths in both directions. The province has also promised commuters from New Westminster and Surrey improved connections and upgrades to the existing road networks on both sides of the new bridge.

Once all four lanes open, the new crossing will once again connect to King George Boulevard in Surrey and McBride Boulevard in New Westminster. The off-ramp to Columbia Street will also be open.

Commuters can expect further headaches as some parts of the new bridge can’t be totally finished until the old crossing is dismantled — a process expected to take two years.

“The new Royal Avenue on-ramp, Columbia Street loop-ramp and Highway 17 off-ramp will open in phases, as they cannot be completed until sections of the connecting roadways and the Pattullo Bridge have been removed,” the province’s website said.

“The new Royal Avenue on-ramp and new Columbia Street loop-ramp will open in phases as they cannot be completed until sections of the connecting roadways and the Pattullo Bridge have been removed. A local closure of Columbia Street between McBride Boulevard and Elliot Street, for approximately one month, will be required to deconstruct the Pattullo Bridge and build the new Columbia loop-ramp.”

The estimated cost for the project is $1.637 billion.