Share on Facebook

Governments Break Ground on New Pitt River Bridge, First Gateway Project

February 9, 2007

Vancouver – The Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia have agreed to cost-share the construction of a new seven-lane bridge across the Pitt River. Premier Gordon Campbell and the Honourable David Emerson, Federal Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, broke ground at the site today.
 
Canada’s New Government is providing $90 million in funding for costs associated with the construction of the bridge and a new grade-separated interchange at Lougheed Highway and Mary Hill Bypass. The Province is providing $108 million.
 
“The economy of the Pacific is driving the world of today and we must capitalize on our geographical advantage by building for our future,” said Premier Campbell. “This is the first contract in our B.C. Gateway Program to improve infrastructure – reducing congestion and improving the movement of people and goods to boost our economy.”
 
“The ability to move goods quickly and efficiently through the Lower Mainland and into the markets across Canada and the United States is very important to importers and exporters,” said Minister Emerson. “This new bridge is the first of many Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor projects that will help our local communities, as well as contribute to Canada’s trade competitiveness.”
 
“The Pitt River crossing connects key economic and transportation facilities with Greater Vancouver,” said the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, federal Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “This investment demonstrates the commitment of Canada’s New Government to reducing congestion and improving the safety and efficiency of this important corridor.”
 
The team of Peter Kiewit & Sons (PKS) won the competitive bidding process for this project, meeting all of the required criteria set out in the request for proposals at the lowest price. The PKS proposal includes an innovative and cost-effective bridge concept offering significant benefits and advantages.
 
The seven-lane bridge will replace the two existing swing bridges that have seen vehicle traffic numbers triple since 1985. The cable-stayed bridge design will significantly reduce traffic congestion and delays as well as reducing interference with marine traffic. With fewer piers in the river, this new bridge will also reduce impacts to the environment and marine users. Work will begin immediately and the project is expected to be complete by November 2009.
 
Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative is an integrated set of investment and policy measures to strengthen Canada’s competitive position in international commerce. The Initiative delivers significant new public investment – $591 million overall, including $321 million in immediate projects for a variety of infrastructure, transportation technology and border security projects.
 
The project is also part of the B.C. Gateway Program – the Ministry of Transportation’s plan to meet the needs of B.C.’s growing economy, increasing Asia-Pacific trade, and a growing population.
 
Additional information about the B.C. Gateway Program can be found at www.gatewayprogram.bc.ca.
 
For more information about Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, please visit www.tc.gc.ca.
Canada Line celebrates first year of service
About 100,000 passengers in Metro Vancouver use the Canada Line every day, making it a huge success on its first year anniversary.
Evergreen Line Competitive Process Opens
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify private partners capable of designing, building, and financing the new Evergreen Line rapid transit project (connecting Coquitlam to Vancouver via Port Moody and Burnaby). Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2011 with completion anticipated by the end of 2014. The project will create about 8,000 jobs.
U-Pass BC to Save Students on Transit Fares
B.C. is the first province in Canada to offer an affordable, universal U-Pass transit program to students at all publicly funded post-secondary institutions.
South Fraser Perimeter Road Moves Forward
The South Fraser Perimeter Road consists of the construction of a new four-lane divided highway, approximately 40 km long, located on the south side of the Fraser River. This 80 km/h route will extend northeast of the existing Highway 17/Deltaport Way intersection, through the municipalities of Delta and Surrey, along the south bank of the Fraser River, with connections to Highways 1, 91 and 99 and the Golden Ears Bridge.
Prime Minister, Premier Announce 15 New Transportation Projects
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Premier Gordon Campbell today announced support for fifteen new infrastructure projects across British Columbia. Provided for by investments from both the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia, these projects will improve highways, local roads and bridges throughout the province, resulting in safer travel for residents and visitors alike.
New Pitt River Bridge Opens on Schedule and on Budget
Premier Gordon Campbell has officially opened the new Pitt River Bridge which will reduce congestion and cut travel times for the almost 90,000 vehicles that cross each day.
Premier & Minister Day Welcome BC’s First Hydrogen Bus
Premier Gordon Campbell and Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway Stockwell Day celebrated the arrival of the first bus of what will become the world’s largest single hydrogen fuel cell bus fleet.
Prince George Celebrates
Simon Fraser Bridge Completion
The new twinned Simon Fraser Bridge has opened in Prince George. The new span will reduce traffic congestion and save travel time for commuters, tourist and commercial vehicles crossing the bridge while improving highway safety.
Canada Line Begins Service with Fare-Free Day
The Canada Line, which provides rapid transit service between downtown Vancouver, Richmond and Vancouver International Airport (YVR), has been officially opened three-and-a-half months ahead of schedule.
B.C. Launches Review of Independent Authorities: Translink, BC Ferries
The Province is launching a review of publicly funded, independently regulated transportation authorities to ensure customers and ratepayers are receiving maximum value for services
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.
B.C. Workers to be Permanently Honoured
A BC Liberal government will ensure every worker who contributes to construction of new, major public structures in British Columbia is permanently recognized for building the infrastructure that keeps B.C. strong, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.
Surrey NDP Candidate Pulls Bridge Out From Under James
On the same day NDP leader Carole James tried to mislead voters that her party always supported the Port Mann bridge, a Surrey NDP candidate is calling for a
New Transit Line to Reduce Congestion, Improve Mobility and Create Jobs Under Canada's Economic Action Plan
Metro Vancouver residents will benefit from the construction of the new Evergreen Transit Line, thanks to a major new job-creating investment from the Government of Canada’s Building Canada Fund, announced Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Premier Gordon Campbell today.
$53-Million Benefits Northwest Highways and Economy
The Province is investing more than $53 million to improve highway infrastructure in the Northwest.
First Passengers Mark Canada Line Milestone
Premier Gordon Campbell was joined by project partners as the first passengers on a trial run of the Canada Line from Bridgeport Station to the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) Station.
Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon Addresses BC Liberals Convention 2008
Construction Launches on South Fraser Perimeter Road
Construction has officially begun on the South Fraser Perimeter Road, a joint building project of the governments of Canada and British Columbia that will create jobs and improve traffic safety, travel and trade for families and businesses throughout metro Vancouver.
Demolition Begins on Coquihalla Toll Plaza
The process to decommission the toll booths on the Coquihalla Highway is underway.
Premier Announces End to Coquihalla Tolls
Tolls on the Coquihalla Highway will be removed immediately, Premier Gordon Campbell announced during his annual address to the Union of B.C. Municipalities.
$231 Million to Fund B.C. Highway Improvements
The Province and the Government of Canada will jointly fund up to $231 million worth of National Highway System improvements in B.C., under the Building Canada Plan.
Premier and Bennett Open William R. Bennett Bridge
Almost 50 years after Premier W.A.C. Bennett cut the ribbon and opened the Okanagan Lake Bridge, Premier Gordon Campbell and former premier Bill Bennett used the same scissors to cut the ribbon and officially open the new William R. Bennett Bridge.
Government Slams the Brakes on High-Polluting Trucks
The Ministry of Transportation’s AirCare On-Road (ACOR) Program is moving from an educational system to an enforcement system by introducing fines to drivers of high-polluting commercial diesel trucks.
Transit Plan to Help B.C. Reach Greenhouse Gas Targets
Premier Gordon Campbell and Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon have unveiled a $14-billion public transit plan to be completed by 2020. It is a key measure in the Province’s greenhouse gas reduction plan, touching every region of the province.
Canada Line Bored Tunnels Completed Ahead of Schedule
A critical phase of Canada Line construction was completed when the project’s 440-tonne tunnel boring machine (TBM) broke through the ground into the future site of Canada Line’s Waterfront Station
Canada Supports Kicking Horse Highway Improvements
The governments of Canada and British Columbia have announced improvements to the Trans-Canada Highway through the Kicking Horse Canyon as a priority for funding under Building Canada, the Government of Canada’s new long-term infrastructure plan.
Rapid Bus Service on Port Mann to Benefit 21,600 Daily
An agreement signed between the Province of British Columbia and TransLink will ensure rapid bus service across the Port Mann Bridge, benefiting 21,600 commuters daily.
NDP opposition to twinning Port Mann Bridge is off track
The Province Editorial (September 30, 2007): It is hard to imagine a more scatterbrained approach to transportation policy than the position taken by NDP leader Carole James on the provincial government's Gateway Project.
BC Liberal Government Provides $50 Million to Expand Green Transit
The Province will provide an additional $50 million this year for BC Transit to purchase new, clean buses and expand public transit service across B.C.
New Park Bridge Opens at Kicking Horse Canyon
The new Park Bridge along the Trans-Canada Highway in Kicking Horse Canyon has been completed ahead of schedule.
Sea-to-Sky Highway Upgrade Passes Halfway Mark
Improvements to the safety and efficiency of the Sea-to-Sky Highway are now more than 50 per cent complete.
Canada Line Reaches Landmark Breakthrough
Canada Line's tunnel boring machine (TBM) achieved a milestone today when it broke through the ground north of Pender Street at Granville, the future site of the Canada Line Waterfront Station.
Report on Translink Reorganization Released
The BC Liberal government is releasing an independent report that recommends reorganizing the current TransLink governance and funding structure to ensure it can meet the transportation and environmental needs of the future.
Governments Break Ground on New Pitt River Bridge, First Gateway Project
The Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia have agreed to cost-share the construction of a new seven-lane bridge across the Pitt River.
Additional $1.5 Million to Make Highway 101 Safer
The BC Liberal Government will invest a further $1.5 million over the next three years as part of its ongoing commitment to improve the safety of Highway 101.
$2 Million To Promote Active Commuting Options
Cycling infrastructure projects in a dozen communities around the province will receive $2 million in funding to create more options for commuting and recreational cycling.
Premier Launches Gateway Transportation Program
Premier Gordon Campbell has unveiled a comprehensive $3-billion plan to open up the province’s transportation network.
New Pitt River Bridge to Open Up Northeast Sector
Premier Gordon Campbell pledged today to improve traffic conditions and reduce drive times in the northeast sector by building a new Pitt River Bridge and Mary Hill Bypass/Lougheed Highway interchange, as part of the BC Liberals’ Asia-Pacific Gateway St
New Okanagan Lake Bridge to be Named After Former Premier Bill Bennett
Premier Gordon Campbell today announced that the new Okanagan Lake Bridge will be named the William R. Bennett Bridge, after the 27th Premier of British Columbia.



Authorized By Jim Pipe, Financial Agent BC Liberal Party.
Tel: 604.606.6000, 1.800.567.2257