The B.C. government’s 2009 policy U-turn to expand the Port Mann Bridge using a traditional procurement model instead of a public-private partnership is starting to bear fruit.
Transportation Minister Shirley Bond announced Tuesday the large infrastructure project has reached a major milestone: the first phase of the new bridge deck on the Surrey side is complete and preparations are underway to install the bridge deck on the Coquitlam side.
Bridge construction is on schedule and slated to be complete by 2013.
“The Port Mann Bridge and Highway 1 are congested almost 14 hours a day and that’s harming our economy and quality of life,” Bond said in a release.
“Once complete, travel times will be cut by as much as 30%. For some, that saves almost an hour a day in travel. For the first time in 20 years, we’ll see reliable transit service over the new Port Mann Bridge with a new rapid bus service.”
Victoria has long argued that enabling bus service on what will be an eight-lane Port Mann Bridge is a key reason why the project was necessary.
The rapid bus service is touted to enable someone to travel from Langley to either Coquitlam to Burnaby in less than 25 minutes.
Victoria is contributing $150 million and TransLink is contributing $30 million for buses and facilities needed for the project. Initially, 20 buses are expected to provide 10- to 15-minute frequency during rush hours.