Inside the Two-Year Demolition of the Pattullo Bridge

A visible gap now separates the north end of the Pattullo Bridge from New Westminster, marking the beginning of a carefully staged demolition of one of the region’s most historic crossings.

The bridge officially closed on Feb. 14, making way for its replacement — the stal̕əw̓asəm (Riverview) Bridge — which is now open but still undergoing final construction.

A phased teardown over two years

The demolition is being carried out in three phases and is expected to wrap up by the end of 2027.

Project lead Wendy Itagawa, with B.C.’s Transit Investment Corporation, says progress is steady but complex.

Crews have already removed sections of the bridge spanning Highway 17 in a single weekend operation — an early milestone in the process.

The first phase focuses on removing access ramps, particularly on the Surrey side, to allow new connections to the highway. That work is expected to be completed by summer.

At the same time, crews are dismantling the bridge deck piece by piece, working gradually down toward the structure’s foundations.

Breaking down the iconic arch

Later in 2026, attention will shift to the bridge’s most recognizable feature — its orange steel arch.

This portion will be cut into large sections and lowered onto barges in the Fraser River, where it will be further dismantled and recycled.

The process requires careful coordination with:

• Marine traffic moving through the river

• Active rail lines running nearby

• Ongoing construction of the new bridge

“It’ll be a really complex procedure,” Itagawa said, noting that timing and safety are critical.

Final phase: removing the foundations

Once the above-water structure is removed, crews will begin dismantling the bridge’s piers and underwater foundations.

While the piers will be mechanically removed, engineers are still finalizing how best to deal with the submerged foundation elements.

Costs, workforce and legacy

• Total project cost (including replacement): $1.637 billion

• Estimated demolition cost: $80 million

• Workforce: roughly 200 workers

Officials are also exploring ways to preserve pieces of the nearly 90-year-old bridge for historical display, though no final plans have been announced.

“It’s a relic of the community,” said Itagawa, noting its long-standing connection between Surrey and New Westminster.

Traffic impacts ahead

The demolition will continue to affect local roads:

• Columbia Street in New Westminster is expected to reopen in early April

• A new on-ramp to the stal̕əw̓asəm (Riverview) Bridge is planned for summer 2026

• Front Street is expected to close for up to six months during future demolition phases

The bigger picture

The removal of the Pattullo Bridge marks the end of an era — but also a transition toward modern infrastructure designed to handle growing traffic demands in Metro Vancouver.

For now, the process is slow, methodical and highly coordinated — a reminder that tearing down a landmark can be just as complex as building one.