Pattullo Bridge closed this weekend, its fate still in question

ThePatulloBridge, amajor crossing over theFraserRiver,is shut down for the weekend for"essential pothole repairs"that will lastuntil noon on Sunday.

"These repairs are to keep it safe and secure for drivers," said TransLink spokespersonJennifer Morland.

"We've been doing inspections every other week for the past sixmonths or so and have made additionalrepairs,but because of the location of these potholes a full closure is required."

TransLink said the closure isn't expected to have a huge impact on traffic although thousands of drivers do use the aging infrastructure.

The PatulloBridgehas had other weekend closures in the last few yearsto do other repairs and repaving. And drivers have alternate routes to cross the river this weekend,including the Port Mann although that comes with a toll.

Earlier this year,TransLinksaid it was planning significant closures in 2016because the Pattulloneedsmajor rehabilitation.

But last month,TransLinksaid it would prefer to replace the bridgebecause the repairs would cost around $100 million.

However,the province has said it's not in favour of building a new bridge,meaning repairs and closures could become routine.

"The longer we delay the replacement of the bridge, unfortunately, this is going to become more and more of a regular occurrence," said New Westminster Mayor Jonathan Cot.

Cot and the Lower Mainland Mayor's Council are pushing fora new, four-lane tolled structure replacing the Pattullo.

"The reality is if we don't take action within 10 years, we'll be in a position where we'll have no choice but to decommission the existing bridge," said Cot."So the sooner we can act on that the better."

The bridge's fate has yet to bedecided.