Aside from some sorely-needed updates, the bridge has also received a brand-new First Nations name that “recognizes First Nations’ historical and current connections to the area.”

The New Bridge

The Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project has been under construction for a number of years now, and has faced a series of delays that kept pushing its opening date back. Its initial opening date was to be 2023, and then it was 2024, and now it is slated for Christmas 2025.

The new bridge now features 10% wider lanes, as well as the possibility to increase its four-lane crossing into six lanes. In general, the new Pattullo Bridger will have wider lanes and a centre median, improved community connections in New Westminster and Surrey, and separate pedestrian and cyclist paths.

But those aren’t the only changes that have come to the bridge. It was announced back in June that the Pattullo Bridge would be receiving a new name to honour the land that it is on. The name has just been unveiled just as the bridge deck has been connected and the final paving is underway.

New Pattullo Bridge Receives First Nations Name

The Pattullo Bridge has received its name from Kwantlen First Nation and Musqueam Indian Band: stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge.

“stal̕əw̓asəm can be understood as ‘a space where you can view the river’. The English name is Riverview,” said a press release. “The name recognizes First Nations’ historical and current connections to the area. Former Musqueam Indian Reserve No. 1 and Kwantlen Indian Reserve No. 8 were in qiqéyt, an important village site near the base of the bridge in Surrey.

As the final work on the bridge wraps up, this moment marks a major milestone as traffic shifts from the old Pattullo Bridge to the stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge over the coming weeks. The new name is part of B.C.’s commitment to reconciliation, as well as the Coast Salish artwork that is being integrated on and around the bridge.

Source: 604NOW