December 24, 2025
RED FM News Desk
Fulfilling a provincial commitment to see the new crossing operational by Christmas, the British Columbia government has announced that one of the four lanes on the new Stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge (also known as the Riverview Bridge) will open today. While this marks a significant milestone for the $1.6 billion project, officials noted that the bridge is not yet fully complete as substantial construction work remains.
Initially, access will be restricted to a single northbound lane. This will allow vehicles to travel from King George Boulevard in Surrey toward East Columbia Street in New Westminster. While the opening is confirmed for today, the exact hour the lane will become accessible to the public has not been specified. To manage the transition, all lanes on the existing Pattullo Bridge will remain open for the time being.
The project has faced its share of public debate and scrutiny during construction. Discussions have centered around the project’s construction delays, the decision to build a four-lane structure instead of a six-lane one as requested by some advocates, and the selection of the bridge’s new name. The transition of traffic to the new structure is being handled in phases to ensure that road connections on both sides of the Fraser River are properly integrated.
Looking ahead, the next major phases of the project are scheduled to begin in January. According to the official project website, there is a possibility that both the old and new bridges will be closed for a full week in mid-to-late January to facilitate further connection work. These dates remain tentative and subject to weather conditions, with official confirmation expected closer to the time.
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