New Port Mann Bridge Will Open One Year Early
New Port Mann Bridge Will Open Full Year Early
The new, 10-lane Port Mann Bridge will open in December 2012 – a full year earlier than originally expected, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.
April 17, 2009
Surrey – The new, 10-lane Port Mann Bridge will open in December 2012 – a full year earlier than originally expected, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.
“Thanks to the expertise, ingenuity and hard work of our private-sector builder, the new Port Mann Bridge will open a full year ahead of schedule,” said Premier Campbell. “We’re building this new, 10-lane bridge to improve travel on one of the Lower Mainland’s busiest transportation corridors, cut travel times for thousands of commuters every day, bring transit back for the first time in two decades, and reduce the congestion costs our economy $1.5 billion each year.”
Original, conservative government estimates had the bridge opening in 2013. However, after further detailed analysis of the project by contractors Peter Kiewit Sons Co. and Flatiron Constructors Canada Limited, new efficiencies have been found and a construction schedule will see the bridge complete by 2012.
“People living south of the Fraser want to see this bridge built; Lower Mainland commuters want to see this bridge built; B.C. businesses want to see this bridge built; and the BC Liberals are building this bridge,” said Premier Campbell. “Finishing earlier means a year less congestion. It means having RapidBus service across the bridge a year earlier. It means the largest-ever investment in new cycling infrastructure will be ready for cyclists a year earlier.”
The new Port Mann Bridge will replace the existing 45-year-old bridge. It will include new RapidBus service that will connect Langley to Burnaby SkyTrain in just 23 minutes. It also includes $50 million in cycling infrastructure – the largest investment in B.C. history.
The project also includes widening Highway 1, upgrading interchanges, and improving access and safety from McGill Street in Vancouver to 216th Street in Langley, a distance of approximately 37 km. One lane of highway will be added in each direction west of the new bridge, and two lanes in each direction east of the bridge, one of which will be an HOV lane.
http://www.bcliberals.com/news/transportation/
eastvanray, I think your story has potential but needs some improvement. I noticed that the same story is also on the BC Liberal website at http://www.bcliberals.com/news/transportation/. Can you please cite the source? Also, please remember to use the highlight tool when quoting external sources for future stories. Thanks!
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eastvanray
vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
steffanileman
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
steffanileman
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Roy C
Vancouver, Washington, United States
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (8)
at 17:04 on April 17th, 2009
"I am old enough to have seen what harm governments do even when well meaning and I am young enough that I have not given up trying to change things."
Take your meds and the paranoia about the government will go away.
at 08:48 on April 18th, 2009
I just want the government to get out of my way and allow me to prosper without carrying a bunch of deadbeats on my back while I do it.
at 21:06 on April 17th, 2009
How about the tolls? I think I've seen it announced on TV by the Minister that it's going to be a toll bridge that will increase the cost of commuting to and from Vancouver substantially. Not that I use the bridge very often, but if that's the case I'd be very upset to be one of those commuters. Not to mention that I wonder if they have the right to toll drivers going on the Trans-Canada Highway. Apologies if I've misread it.
They should actually have built a second Lions Gate Bridge. They can hardly accommodate normal traffic on that stupid bridge. How are they going to handle the Olympics traffic going to Whistler? Catapult them to the North Shore? Call U.S. Army engineers to build pontoons?
at 08:46 on April 18th, 2009
It is either tolls for those that actually use (and benefit from) the bridge or we all pay higher taxes whether we use it or not. I am in favour of user-pay. It is the only fair way. And if someone wants to save the toll they can always use the other 3 crossings that are free.
at 09:17 on April 18th, 2009
...and using taxes to raise pay for MLA's and bureaucrats, and subsidize privatized government services. That's not my idea of government. Government's job should be done by the government or not at all...
at 09:25 on April 18th, 2009
I am not sure you really want billions of our tax dollars administered by volunteers, do you? You might want to re-think that one. I am a believer of small government but I do not believe in letting amateurs run the government.
at 21:13 on April 18th, 2009
It is interesting statement because generates numbers of questions almost immediately upon a reading. What one year of time saving means: Unprofessional work of initial schedulers? Where ware governmental reviewers? What kind of magical efficiency accelerator? What construction contract states? What about construction budget? One year faster means huge saving on labor cost, mobilization and so on. Who will accumulate the saving? In what pocket? Why Campbell does not tell as about taxpayers money saving, especially in consideration of recent financial scheme change on bridge construction?
It sounds reasonable when managers reported on some time saving (two or three month over two years period) for almost ready bridge, but 1/4 of scheduled time before construction start. Sorry Campbell, but hard to believe.
at 09:56 on April 19th, 2009
All fair questions.
Now, during the election, is the time for you to ask them.