‘Not viable’: Forget about Pattullo-as-park concept, ministry says
Published 11:00 am Monday, February 23, 2026
As work begins to deconstruct Pattullo Bridge, B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit officials say it’s too late, unsafe and costly to save the structure as a pedestrian crossing or park of some kind.
AI-generated park concept drawings have floated around social media since mid-February, when the landmark bridge closed and four-lane stal̕əw̓asəm (“Riverview”) opened as a new connection between Surrey and New Westminster.
Surrey councillor Linda Annis is among those who’ve pitched the idea of saving the Pattullo as a pedestrian and cycling park with trees and amenities.
But B.C. transportation officials say the concept is a non-starter for the old crossing, built in 1937 and now beyond its serviceable lifespan.
“Upgrading and maintaining the existing bridge deck and foundations as a pedestrian and cyclist crossing to meet current bridge design codes is not viable,” says a ministry statement sent to the Now-Leader.
Structural challenges with the Pattullo include “delaminating concrete, river scour around the foundations, piers not designed to withstand significant collisions with marine vessels, and seismic and wind load thresholds that do not meet current standards for new structures,” the ministry says.
Demolition of Pattullo Bridge is included in the $1.637-billion budget for the replacement project. In order to complete construction of the new bridge, parts of the Pattullo need to be removed to connect ramp and multi-use paths to the new crossing.
“A key part of the design of the stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge is high-quality walking/cycling paths both on the bridge and connecting to the bridge,” the ministry notes. “These wide walking and cycling paths will be on both sides of the new bridge, separated from traffic by a barrier, and there will be viewing platforms on each side of the bridge for walkers and cyclists.”
On Family Day weekend, the Pattullo drew crowds of pedestrians and cyclists during the final days of public access to the Fraser River crossing.
Annis, running for mayor with Surrey First, says the idea of turning the old bridge into a pedestrian and cycling park is worth a serious look.
“There’s definitely lots of questions, but if there’s a chance to create a major attraction that would have a positive impact on both sides of the Fraser River, it’s definitely worth considering,” says Annis, who points to New York’s High Line as a possible model.
“New York turned a derelict 1930s railway spur in a former industrial neighbourhood into a 2.5-km elevated park that has become one of the city’s best-known attractions for visitors and residents alike,” she notes.
“The Pattullo Bridge could become our regional version of The High Line. Taking a look at how to keep it and turn it into something everyone could enjoy is definitely worth looking at. New Yorkers saw more than an old railway line, and as a result The High Line revitalized a neighbourhood and has been a success since it opened in 2009.”
Removal of the Pattullo will take close to two years in three phases starting with on-land structures, according to a timeline on the Pattullo Bridge Replacement website. Removal of the concrete below-water structures will begin this fall.
In Surrey, drivers can expect nighttime and weekend closures as crews complete the Highway 17 off-ramp, along with periodic closures of 112/111a Avenue.