Pitt River Bridge Workers Honoured

September 23, 2010

Vancouver – Premier Gordon Campbell was joined by Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Shirley Bond to recognize workers who helped construct the new Pitt River Bridge.

“Earlier this year we committed to recognize all workers who contributed to building major public infrastructure projects in British Columbia,” said Premier Campbell. “Today we’re following through on that commitment by honouring the dedicated people who helped make the Pitt River Bridge a reality. The people who worked on this project didn’t just build a bridge, they’re building lasting legacy that will be enjoyed by British Columbians and help our economy grow for years to come.”

The commemorative plaque includes the names of 512 people who were involved in the planning, engineering, design and construction of the Pitt River Bridge.

“The seven-lane Pitt River Bridge is a vital connection for the communities of Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and the Tri Cities and has reduced congestion and improved travel times for commuters and business traffic,” said Bond. “Equally important are the hundreds of men and women whose vision, expertise and labour helped bring this project to completion.”

At the plaque unveiling, the workers were represented by Dawn Chapman, traffic foreman, who worked on the Pitt River Bridge and is currently working on the Port Mann Highway.

“We are all very proud to have worked on a project of such provincial importance,” said Chapman. “We built a bridge that will benefit the Lower Mainland for many years to come, and with this recognition, the names of all workers will live on just as long.”

The new Pitt River Bridge was officially opened in October 2009 by the provincial and federal governments. Construction of the new bridge was complete on budget and on schedule and has made the crossing faster and smoother for the almost 90,000 vehicles that cross each day. The bridge improves the safety and reliability of the area’s rapidly growing transportation corridor.

In addition to replacing the existing swing bridges, the project replaced the Lougheed Highway and Mary Hill Bypass intersection with a free-flowing interchange.

With its strategic location linking the CP Intermodal Terminal and Lower Mainland ports, the Pitt River Bridge and Mary Hill Interchange Project is a critical component of the Gateway Program.

The $198-million Pitt River Bridge project was cost-shared between the provincial and federal governments. The Province has committed $108 million in funding, with the remainder coming from the federal government under Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative.