The Canadian Press reports:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/aging-pattullo-bridge-must-be-replaced-or-closed-by-2023-report/article32131468/
QuoteA report to Translink warns an aging bridge in Metro Vancouver may not be able to withstand an earthquake or even a powerful wind storm and must be replaced, or closed, in less than a decade.
... The report says the 79-year-old Pattullo Bridge connecting Surrey and New Westminster, "represents TransLink's most urgent major infrastructure risk."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pattullo_Bridge
"A key link between Surrey and the rest of Greater Vancouver, the Pattullo bridge handles an average of 75,700 cars and 3840 trucks daily, or roughly 20 percent of vehicle traffic across the Fraser River as of 2013."
The Port Mann bridge was replaced a few years ago, and now the George Massey Tunnel is being redone. Perhaps this will be next...
TransLink has more information on the replacement: http://www.translink.ca/en/Plans-and-Projects/Roads-Bridges-and-Goods-Movement-Projects/Pattullo-Bridge/Pattullo-Bridge-Replacement/Project-Summary.aspx
It will be a tolled bridge with four lanes. Which are extendable to six lanes in the future, considering the high traffic volume (80,000 vehicles per day in 2014).
Glad this is becoming more official. The only alternatives to the Pattullo are the 91, a dozen kilometres south, or the Port Mann, a handful of kilometres west. Last time up in Vancouver, I stayed at the Days Inn off King George Blvd, just west of the Pattullo. The bridge was closed throughout my stay. The detour wasn't a lot of fun. Keeping this bridge in operational order is vital.