AI vision of a pedestrian Pattullo Bridge sparks hope, but B.C. government cites safety, cost, and design limits as barriers.
Viral AI Vision Sparks Hopes for Pattullo Bridge
When the Pattullo Bridge was permanently closed to vehicles, an AI rendering imagining it as a pedestrian-only walkway captured the internet’s attention. The image showed benches, greenery, and a lively public space reminiscent of New York City’s High Line or pedestrian streets in European and South American cities. It quickly gained social media traction and even caught the eye of some local politicians.
Despite the excitement, the provincial government is firm: transforming the Pattullo Bridge into a public walkway isn’t feasible.
“There’s no point in keeping a door open and creating false hope on something that isn’t going to happen,” said Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth.
Local Politicians See Opportunity
Councillors like Surrey’s Linda Annis and New Westminster’s Paul Minhas have expressed support for the idea.
“The Pattullo Bridge could become our regional version of The High Line,” said Annis, who is running for mayor. “It’s worth exploring if we can create a major attraction benefiting both sides of the Fraser River.”
Minhas echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the value of reusing existing infrastructure:
“It respects the people who paid for this bridge in the first place,” he wrote.
The public had their final stroll across the bridge during its last weekend open to pedestrians, a nostalgic event that only fueled hopes for its preservation. Thousands participated, taking photos and imagining the bridge’s potential as a community space.
Safety and Cost Concerns Block the Plan
Farnworth outlined the main obstacles to saving the bridge:
- Age and structural concerns: The bridge is nearly a century old.
- Seismic instability: It remains vulnerable to earthquakes and strong winds.
- Integration with the new Stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge: Off-ramps and traffic flow require the old bridge’s removal.
“The money needed to make it safe just isn’t justified compared to other transportation and public space investments,” Farnworth said.
Even with no vehicles, safety risks would remain, he added, making the project financially and structurally impractical.
Looking Ahead: People-First Spaces
New Westminster Mayor Patrick Johnstone has long supported pedestrian-friendly initiatives but acknowledges the challenges of repurposing the Pattullo.
“I’m all for investing in good urban spaces, but this old bridge has serious structural challenges,” he said. “There are better ways to prioritize people-focused projects in the region.”
While the Pattullo won’t be saved as a pedestrian haven, its closure may inspire future investments in safe, accessible public spaces for walking and cycling just not on the historic bridge itself.
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