🎉 The New Pattullo Bridge Opens December 25, 2025 – What You Need to Know

The wait is almost over — after decades of conversation and several years of construction, the long-awaited Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project is nearing completion. On December 25, 2025, Metro Vancouver residents will officially welcome a safer, modern bridge across the Fraser River.

🚧 Why Replace the Pattullo Bridge?

Opened in 1937, the current Pattullo Bridge has long been considered functionally obsolete:

• Narrow lanes without separation

• Seismic vulnerability

• High crash rates

• Lack of safe pedestrian or cycling access

At 88 years old, it’s past its lifespan, and a new bridge has been badly needed.

🌉 Key Features of the New Bridge

• Four wide lanes (10% wider than before)

• Centre median to separate traffic

• Pedestrian & cyclist pathways with protective barriers

• Improved roadway connections on both sides of the Fraser

• Future expansion ready — the design allows for up to six lanes if demand, funding, and community approvals align.

🚦 Why Only Four Lanes for Now?

While many commuters, particularly in Surrey, argue for a six-lane crossing immediately, there are important reasons for starting with four:

1. Road Network Constraints – On the New Westminster side, streets like McBride Boulevard, East Columbia Street, and Royal Avenue cannot accommodate six continuous lanes without major expansion that would cut through neighborhoods.

2. Bottleneck Concerns – Six lanes on the bridge would still funnel into four-lane roads on either end, shifting congestion into city streets.

3. Future-Proofing – The bridge is designed with the structural capacity to expand, should the need arise.

This phased, cautious approach balances current demand with community impacts.

🌀 The Four Opening Phases

The opening will not be a simple ribbon-cutting. Instead, the new Pattullo will launch in four stages to carefully integrate with the road network:

Phase 1 – The new bridge partially opens; the Royal Avenue southbound on-ramp remains closed.
Phase 2 – A full closure for about a week, with no bridge crossing while final tie-ins at McBride and King George are completed.
Phase 3 – Traffic split: northbound shifts entirely to the new bridge, while some southbound traffic continues on the old bridge.
Phase 4 – All traffic moves onto the new bridge. The old bridge will close and eventually be removed.

🌿 A New Identity

Beyond its structural upgrades, the new bridge will also receive a new Indigenous name in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓, chosen in collaboration with the Musqueam and Kwantlen First Nations. The name is expected to be announced in the coming months, symbolizing respect for the land and history of the area.

🖼️ Community Enhancements

The project includes a new public art installation beneath the Highway 17–Old Yale Road overpass, as well as better pedestrian and cycling connections in both Surrey and New Westminster.

📅 What’s Next?

December 25, 2025, won’t just mark a holiday — it will mark the beginning of a new chapter for Metro Vancouver commuters. While the debate over four vs. six lanes will continue, one thing is certain: the new Pattullo Bridge will provide a safer, more reliable connection across the Fraser River for generations to come.

👩‍💼
Big changes like new infrastructure often influence local real estate trends.  Whether you’re considering upsizing, downsizing, or making your first move, let’s chat about how today’s market is shifting.

✨ Tara Kennedy
🏡 REALTOR®, ABR, RENE, SRS
📞 236-992-8989
🌐 TaraKennedy.ca
📧 TaraKennedySells@gmail.com

#PattulloBridge #PattulloReplacement #BridgeOpening #FraserRiver #McBrideBoulevard #KingGeorgeBoulevard #SurreyBC #NewWestminster #Infrastructure #BridgePhases #TransitFuture #BCTransportation #MetroVancouver #IndigenousNaming