3-day sendoff party proposed on B.C.’s historic Pattullo Bridge before teardown – BC | 24CA News
A New Westminster councillor is proposing a three-day goodbye occasion for the Pattullo Bridge, slated for decommissioning, that will really happen on the bridge.
The movement, going earlier than town’s mayor and council on Monday night time, states that the getting older bridge is “an iconic part of the City of New Westminster’s history,” and the general public ought to have a “unique opportunity” to expertise it with out automobile and truck site visitors.
“The Pattullo has been integral to the development and growth of the region, so it’s only fitting that the community gets to say good-bye as we look forward to its modern replacement,” Coun. Daniel Fontaine, who’s proposing the occasion, stated in a news launch.
“The views of Surrey, New Westminster and the Fraser River are pretty impressive, so a three-day festival that includes music, live entertainment and some of the Pattullo’s history over the past 86 years is a terrific community opportunity as we literally bridge the gap between New West and Surrey.”
The $1.4-billion alternative for the Pattullo Bridge is already below building and slated for completion in 2024.
It will embody much-needed upgrades, together with protected strolling and biking lanes, higher connections to, from and close to the bridge, and a safer pathway for these crossing the bridge. It may also be constructed with two in-river piers, as a substitute of the present six, to ease the mission’s affect on the ecosystem.
The current Pattullo Bridge will stay open till its alternative is prepared, then taken aside and eliminated.
“Before it’s taken apart, I hope we can get together as a region and celebrate,” stated Fontaine.
“When the bridge opened in 1937 it had a 25-cent toll, perhaps we can raise some money for charity by collecting a quarter from everyone over the three-day event. That’s just one idea, I know the community will have others, but if we’re going to do this, the planning should start right away.”
Ideally, the occasion would happen on a three-day weekend with the bridge open for pedestrians and cyclists, whereas the brand new bridge is open to automobile site visitors, he added.
Global News has reached out to Fontaine, New Westminster Mayor Patrick Johnstone and the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for touch upon this story.
If the occasion is authorised, co-ordination with the provincial authorities can be required.
Monday’s movement directs Johnstone to jot down a letter to the ministry to find out the feasibility of the pageant, and instructs council to start work with the ministry to make it occur.
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