The next round of public consultation regarding the replacement of the Pattullo Bridge is being postponed by TransLink.
The transit authority released a statement noting that open houses are being rescheduled to allow time for TransLink to prepare a regional transportation plan with Metro Vancouver mayors, as required by Transportation Minister Todd Stone.
“As the Pattullo Bridge is one of the key priorities for the region, TransLink needs time to confirm with the Mayors’ Council how options for this project will fit into the regional plan, which the mayors have been asked to deliver by June 30, 2014,” reads the statement.
“TransLink anticipates completing this work as quickly as possible and commencing Phase 2 public consultation of the Pattullo Bridge Review later this spring. We apologize for any inconvenience.”
Open houses were set to take place at Bridgeview Elementary on February 27 and March 8, and at the City Centre Library on March 3.
At the City of Surrey’s transportation committee meeting on Monday – before the delay was announced – Councillor Barinder Rasode stressed the urgency of reaching an agreement for the bridge. She noted that by maintaining the Pattullo as parts of it crumble is costing the transit authority for every day that the involved parties negotiate.
“We’re waiting at a price,” she said at the meeting.
Six options have been shortlisted for evaluation following last year’s public consultations: a new four-, five- or six-lane bridge; a rehabilitated three- or four-lane bridge; or a new four-lane Surrey-Coquitlam crossing with a rehabilitated three-lane Pattullo Bridge.
© Surrey Now
