REVscene Automotive Forum - Pattullo Bridge Catches Fire And Is Closed

Just found out. All I know is traffic over the Port Mann is going to suck tomm :(

http://www.news1130.com/more.jsp?con...8_092457_41624

SURREY (NEWS1130) - Bad news for commuters, a fire on the Pattullo Bridge will have it shut down in both directions throughout tomorrow morning's commute.

The blaze began around 3am.

The wooden beams under the bridge deck caught on fire and then spread to the actual bridge itself.

Inspector Derren Lench with Surrey RCMP says there were cars on the bridge when the fire broke out.

"Upon arrival they found flames that were coming up onto the south end of the Pattullo Bridge from both sides of the bridge deck. There was traffic found on the bridge, I think there was a bus actually stopped right in the location of the fire and some other vehicles."

Ken Hardie with TransLink says the span will remain closed until structural engineers can do a thorough assessment.

"The engineers told me a few moments ago, the bridge will not be open tomorrow morning. We have damage assessments such that they don't feel safe letting the bridge open. We're going to take a look at those timbers to see what are our options are."

Hardie says if the whole structure needs to be rebuilt, it could be a month long closure.

What sparked the fire has not yet been determined, however investigators are treating the fire as suspicious.

Meanwhile, plans for a new Pattullo Bridge continue.

TransLink is planning to tear down the existing 71 year old bridge and replace it with a six-lane, $800 million stucture.

The decision to toll the bridge hasn't gone over well with commuters.

Critics say people who live south of the Fraser shouldn't have to "foot the bill.'"

About 80,000 drivers use the bridge every weekday.