New stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge fully open as Pattullo Bridge demolition begins

Press Release

NEW WESTMINSTER

Summary

• The stal̕əw̓asəm (Riverview) Bridge features four wider lanes with a centre median, barrier-separated walking and cycling lanes to improve safety, efficiency for bridge users
• With the stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge fully open, deconstruction of the Pattullo Bridge will take approximately two years to complete

All four lanes on the stal̕əw̓asəm (Riverview) Bridge opened to vehicle traffic on Saturday, Feb. 14, marking a milestone for people travelling between Surrey and New Westminster.

“The stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge is a new regional landmark,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit. “I’d like to thank the crews tasked with the monumental job of building this major piece of infrastructure for their hard work and for delivering a bridge that is going to support safe, reliable travel for commuters, truck drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.”

The new bridge features four wider lanes with a centre median and barrier-separated walking and cycling lanes. It optimizes the use of the existing road network and travel patterns to improve safety, reliability and efficiency for everyone and is built to modern seismic, structural and roadway-design standards.

Work on the multi-use path connections to the bridge will continue. Access for pedestrians and cyclists will be available via the multi-use path on the east side of the stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge in spring 2026. For more information about pedestrian and cyclist access, visit: pattullobridgereplacement.ca/active-transportation.

First Nations bridge name

The stal̕əw̓asəm name can be understood as “a space where you can view the river.” The English name is Riverview. The name recognizes First Nations’ historical and current connections to the area. Former Musqueam Indian Reserve No. 1 and Kwantlen Indian Reserve No. 8 were in qiqéyt, an important village site near the base of the bridge in Surrey. The hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ name is featured on the bridge’s crossbeam, and First Nations art is being installed across the project.

Pattullo Bridge demolition

• With the stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge open, deconstruction of the Pattullo Bridge is now underway.
• This is necessary to complete construction of the Columbia Street on-ramp, Highway 17 off-ramp and some connections for the new multi-use paths.
• Crews have mobilized equipment and are conducting preparatory activities ahead of concrete and steel removal.
• Removal of the Pattullo Bridge will take approximately two years to complete.

The stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge is a vital link for people in the regional transportation network, and an important component of the goods movement network, serving local and national needs.

Quick Facts:

• The stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge is a single tower cable-stay bridge, which differentiates it from the Alex Fraser and Port Mann bridges. Each cable has up to 80 strands, and the longest cable on the main span is approximately 300 metres.
• The total length is 1,235 metres, equivalent to more than 12 Canadian football fields.
• There are approximately 62,400 cubic metres of concrete in the bridge, enough to fill 25 Olympic swimming pools.

Learn More:

• The Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project including existing bridge deconstruction information: https://www.pattullobridgereplacement.ca/
• stal̕əw̓asəm pronunciation information: https://www.pattullobridgereplacement.ca/bridge-name/
• For the most up-to-date highway travel information, visit: www.DriveBC.ca or @DriveBC on X (formerly Twitter).

Contact:
Ministry of Transportation and Transit
Media Relations
250-356-8241

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