Two major infrastructure projects reach milestones

Drivers and people who take transit in the Lower Mainland are closer to faster and more convenient travel as both the Broadway Subway Project and the Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project have reached significant milestones.

Tunnel boring operations have finished, marking the completion of the most technically complex and challenging part of the new subway construction.

Meanwhile, construction of the main tower for the new bridge to replace the existing Pattullo, connecting Surrey and New Westminster, is complete. This is the tallest bridge tower in British Columbia.

“Despite facing significant global challenges, we’ve seen tremendous progress on both of these projects,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “These projects will move people and goods more quickly and safely around the Lower Mainland.”

The Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project started at the beginning of the pandemic in February 2020. Since then, it has faced significant challenges, including inflationary pressures and global supply issues related to the delivery of specialized components from around the world. In addition, the bridge tower construction took longer than expected. As a result, the new bridge is expected to open in fall 2025.

The new bridge will provide people with better connections and modern, wider lanes separated by a centre median barrier and dedicated walking and cycling lanes. Once complete, the bridge will provide a safer commute for people driving, cycling, or walking, and a more efficient connection for goods movement between Canada and the United States.

Design and construction activities on the Broadway Subway Project, which also began during the pandemic in September 2020, have taken longer than originally expected, including work to relocate major utilities and install traffic decks, while keeping traffic moving along Broadway. Tunnelling, which included boring under the Canada Line, and station excavation also took longer. This was in part due to a five-week concrete strike in 2022 that delayed construction of the launch pad for the tunnel-boring machines. Despite making significant progress so far, the new line is expected to go into service in fall 2027.

On projects of this size, delays have the potential to affect other construction activities. While mitigation efforts were made to recover both project schedules, it wasn’t always possible.

Once complete, the Broadway Subway will transform how people get around. It will mean faster travel, better access, and fewer cars on the road. The commute from VCC-Clark to Arbutus Station will take 11 minutes, saving the average transit commuter almost 30 minutes a day and will relieve congestion along Broadway.

Learn More:

To view photos of the Broadway Subway project and the Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project: 
https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/90L2BIV6JY

To learn more about the Broadway Subway project: https://www.broadwaysubway.ca/

To learn more about the Pattullo Bridge replacement project: https://www.pattullobridgereplacement.ca/

To learn more about the Province’s CleanBC 2030 Roadmap: https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/

Two backgrounders follow.