Crews are removing the arch from the historic Pattullo Bridge—which connected Surrey and New Westminster for nearly 90 years—this weekend, lowering sections onto a barge on the Fraser River through Sunday night, officials announced this week. Photos taken Saturday show crews on scene making preparations and sparks flying from sections of the arch. No road closures are in place, as traffic will be maintained through the stal̕əw̓ asəm (Riverview) Bridge, the Pattullo Bridge’s replacement, according to B.C. Infrastructure Benefits Inc., a provincial Crown corporation responsible for staffing infrastructure projects. The province said crews are working around the clock for an estimated 48 to 60 hours, or until the arch is on the barge to be shipped off for dismantling and recycling. Those crossing stal̕əw̓ asəm have been asked not to stop driving to watch the bridge lowering. “While the project does not have designated viewing areas, the lowering may be visible from locations along the Fraser River such as Brownsville Bar Park in Surrey and Westminster Pier Park or Albert Crescent Park in New Westminster,” the BCIB detailed in a release. The province said mitigation measures are in place to contain demolition materials and minimize noise. The main navigation channel of the Fraser River beneath both bridges is closed until the evening of Oct. 11, but the BCIB said the domestic navigation channel will be open to marine traffic with the appropriate height clearance. For more details on where boaters are permitted during the arch lowering, the BCIB has asked users to visit the Pattullo Bridge Replacement website.
