The Pattullo Bridge review consultation starts today, June 3 – June 28, 2013
The Pattullo Bridge review consultation starts today, June 3 – June 28, 2013
Regular readers of the blog and those just generally interested in the infrastructure of the region will know the Pattullo Bridge has reached the end its life cycle and that next steps need to be taken.
Following our consultation we did last year, the Pattullo Bridge review consultation starts today and runs until June 28, 2013.
In short, TransLink, the City of New Westminster and the City of Surrey are working together to review and evaluate alternatives to rehabilitate or replace the Pattullo Bridge and to determine a preferred alternative that meets the needs of communities connected by the bridge, as well as the broader region served by the bridge.
For complete details you’ll want to head over to the Pattullo Bridge Review website. There are a few ways to participate in the process:
Read and fill out the online materials
Read the discussion guide and feedback form.
Complete the online feedback form.
Visit the Pattullo Bridge Review on PlaceSpeak or the City of Surrey on City Speaks.
Send a written submission to info@pattullobridgereview.ca or PO Box 2225, Vancouver Main, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 3W2.
Attend a small group meeting
There are small meetings today, June 6 and June 19. You’ll need to register here.
Open houses
There are six open houses. The first half of the open house will be a drop-in format. The second half will consist of a 30-minute presentation followed by a 60-minute question and answer session. Here they are:
New Westminster – Thursday, June 6, 2013 – 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. – Sapperton Pensioners’ Hall, 318 Leary Street
Surrey – Saturday, June 8, 2013 – 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. – SFU Surrey, 13450 102 Avenue
New Westminster – Tuesday, June 11, 2013 – 5 p.m. – Inn at the Quay, 900 Quayside Drive
Surrey – Wednesday, June 12, 2013 – 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. – SFU Surrey, 13450 102 Avenue
Surrey – Thursday, June 13, 2013 – 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. – City Centre Library, 10350 University Drive
New Westminster, Saturday, June 15, 2013 – 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Inn at the Quay, 900 Quayside Drive
So, lots of ways to learn and communicate about the Pattullo. This process is moving forward and we’re glad to help facilitate it!
After reviewing the initial options. Only two will help solve many of the problems facing N.West opposition.
1. 6 lane bridge, with improved connectors
2. 4 lane bridge Coquitlam-Surrey + Refurb Pattullo
Any other option would result in the same problem we have now: few options to funnel traffic thru and around N. West with more backups.
By expanding lanes this opens up the possibility to create much better connectors to arterial roads rather than collector roads. The 2 additional lanes can be better utilized for HOV & Truck traffic. Plus the on-ramp from Columbia/Brunette could be opened up during rush hour as there would be an extra lane available for trucks, instead of them lining up on McBride & Royal Ave.
Since Translink says the bridge will be tolled, we should build something better than what exists. Not something with fewer lanes and greater backups throughout N. West.
Additionally, McBride does not need to be widened (even though there is space set aside to do this) the famed Stormont Connector could still be very useful if it is ever constructed.
Populations and employment will continue to grow, its not about how to avoid this but how to best manage this growth.