Major rehabilitation work aimed at improving safety, reliability and extending the lifespan of the Queensborough Bridge has begun, and drivers and commuters are being warned of some extended traffic disruptions in the area.
The B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit announced that nighttime lane closures are planned on the busy Fraser River crossing starting from the beginning of April and lasting until Fall 2027.
This work will include extensive bridge deck resurfacing, structural repairs, replacement of deck joints, and upgrades to the bridge’s drainage system.
queensborough bridge new westminster richmond
Queensborough Bridge across the Fraser River between New Westminster and Richmond. (Google Maps)
“During the nighttime closure windows, traffic will flow one lane in each direction over the bridge,” explained the ministry in a public traffic advisory.
“The closures are necessary to allow the Ministry of Transportation and Transit’s contractor to safely complete work on the deck renewal, and lane closures will be restricted to nighttime hours only to support the flow of traffic through the busy area during daytime.”
Drivers commuting through Queensborough are warned to expect delays during the nightly lane closures, happening on weekdays from 9:30 p.m. until 5 a.m., and on weekends from 9:30 p.m. until 9 a.m.
A winter shutdown between November 2026 and March 2027, when no work will take place, is also planned for the project.
“During construction closure times, lane width will be reduced to 3.5 metres,” added the Ministry of Transportation and Transit in the alert. “Oversized vehicles exceeding those widths will be stopped and may need to wait an extended time to cross.
“Oversized vehicles are encouraged to use alternative routes, such as stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge or Knight Street Bridge.”
Sidewalks will remain open during construction, with pedestrian access maintained in both directions.
Drivers are reminded to plan additional travel time if they are driving through the Queensborough Bridge area, and to adjust speeds as posted in the construction zone.
Traffic signage and traffic-control personnel will also be on-site during the bridge upgrade project.
Built in 1960, the Queensborough Bridge carries four lanes of Highway 91A traffic across the north arm of the Fraser River, linking New Westminster with the easternmost end of Richmond. It is a crucial route for not only arterial vehicle traffic on Lulu Island, but also from further south of the Fraser via the Alex Fraser Bridge.
Over the decades, the bridge has undergone several upgrades, including seismic improvements, the installation of a median barrier, and barrier walls separating pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
Today, the bridge serves nearly 88,000 vehicles per day, making it one of the region’s busiest crossings.
source: Daily Hive photo: Government of BC
