Pattullo Bridge fight heats up between Surrey and New West

Some Surrey city councillors are accusing New Westminster of pulling out of negotiations to replace the aging Pattullo Bridge.              

In June, TransLink presented six options to replace the 75-year-old bridge, which connects New Westminster and Surrey.

Only two options are still under consideration: a new four lane crossing or a new six lane crossing — which the City of Surrey has endorsed.

But Surrey Coun. Barinder Rasode says New Westminster has pulled out of talks on both.              

"We've been waiting a long time and we feel like we are spending a lot of money on a bridge that is unsafe. We need a new bridge, and New Westminster has now pulled out because the option of refurbishing the bridge has been taken off the table."

Surrey argues the delay could force TransLink to spend tens of millions repairing the Pattullo, instead of building something new.

New Westminster Coun. Chuck Puchmayr says the city may one day support a four-lane crossing, but not the six lanes Surrey wants.

Puchmayr says he would rather the crossing be built closer to Coquitlam.

"We have zero capacity to take any extra traffic in New Westminster. We are already seeing massive gridlock from people diverting the Port Mann toll," he said.

Earlier this year, the bridge was closed for three weekends so that TransLink could repair the aging structure.