The B.C. government announced significant delays on two major infrastructure projects in the Lower Mainland.

The Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project started at the beginning of the pandemic in February 2020. Since then, it has faced significant challenges, including inflationary pressures and global supply issues related to the delivery of specialized components from around the world.

Construction of the main tower for the new bridge to replace the existing Pattullo, connecting Surrey and New Westminster is complete. Construction took longer than expected on what is now the tallest bridge tower in B.C.  As a result, the new bridge is expected to open in fall 2025. This is the second delay to the original 2023 opening date.

Design and construction activities on the Broadway Subway Project, which also began during the pandemic in September 2020, have taken longer than originally expected, including work to relocate major utilities and install traffic decks, while keeping traffic moving along Broadway. Tunnelling, which included boring under the Canada Line, and station excavation also took longer. This was in part due to a five-week concrete strike in 2022 that delayed construction of the launch pad for the tunnel-boring machines.

Tunnel boring operations have finished, marking the completion of the most technically complex and challenging part of the new subway construction. But despite making significant progress so far, the new line is expected to go into service in fall 2027. The original completion date was late 2025.

“Despite facing significant global challenges, we’ve seen tremendous progress on both of these projects,” said Rob Fleming, minister of transportation and infrastructure. “These projects will move people and goods more quickly and safely around the Lower Mainland.”

The Pattullo Bridge and Broadway Subway are two of the largest infrastructure projects underway in B.C.