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New Port Mann Bridge Will Open Full Year Early

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.
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Authorized By Jim Pipe, Financial Agent BC Liberal Party.
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