When you hear TransLink, you likely think of our buses, SkyTrain, SeaBus and the West Coast Express. So, you may be surprised to learn we invest in regionally significant roads, cycling, and pedestrian infrastructure to better connect Metro Vancouver communities too!

It’s all part of our mission to connect the region and enhance its livability by providing a sustainable transportation network.

TransLink owns and maintains five bridges: Knight Street Bridge, Pattullo Bridge, Golden Ears Bridge, Westham Island Bridge, and the Canada Line bike and pedestrian bridge.

These bridges, which are part of the Major Road Network, are critical transportation links for the movement of people, goods, and services.

Key to maintaining these bridges is regular inspections that we complete using a “snooper” truck.

Think of how you head to your doctor for annual check-ups. It’s the same for our bridges! We conduct an annual check-up on all our bridges.

The snooper truck is an articulated boom truck with a bucket on the end of the arm.

This articulated boom truck provides the freedom of mobility to our inspectors for visually inspecting the structural systems located above, below, and on the side of the bridge deck level.

During inspections, the snooper truck parks on the bridge and takes up two lanes of traffic.

As a result, on the Pattullo Bridge, it requires overnight closures in the northbound or southbound direction between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. to ensure the safety of the workers and motorists travelling on the bridge.

Throughout the inspections, the bridge remains open to pedestrians, cyclists and first responders at all times.