Pattullo Bridge’s familiar arch to be removed over the long weekend

The steel arch of the Pattullo Bridge is scheduled to be removed over the Oct. 9–11 long weekend, weather permitting. Deconstruction is continuing on the old crossing between Surrey and New Westminster, which closed to traffic last February when the new Stal̕əw̓asəm (“Riverview”) Bridge opened high above the Fraser River.

Project managers say crews will use strand jacks, hydraulic linear winch systems, to lower the arch onto barges. It will be transported to another site for dismantling and recycling. Arch removal is expected to proceed slowly over 48 to 60 hours, according to the project website.

Traffic on the Stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge will not be affected, but stopping on the bridge to watch the lowering is prohibited. There are no designated viewing areas, though the work may be visible from places along the Fraser River, including Brownsville Bar Park in Surrey and Westminster Pier Park or Albert Crescent Park in New Westminster.

Additional noise is expected, and torches cutting the arch will be visible Saturday morning as part of what the project describes as a carefully managed process.

The river’s main navigation channel must close from Friday night until Sunday night, Oct. 9–11. The domestic navigation channel will remain open to marine traffic with suitable height clearance, the project website says.