Pothole repairs will close the Pattullo Bridge for a total of 39 hours next week.
The Surrey-New West connector will be closed to all vehicle traffic from 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16 until noon Sunday, Oct. 18, TransLink officials advised Thursday.
Emergency vehicles will still have access to cross the bridge, and the sidewalk will stay open for cyclists and pedestrians.
"The closure is required for essential pothole repairs on the bridge," a TransLink release stated.
"The closure will be well signed and drivers are asked to obey all traffic control devices on the bridge approaches.
The Pattullo Bridge is being regularly inspected to monitor the condition of the aging deck, TransLink said.
"Several potholes have been patched already with no impact to traffic, but additional repairs are needed to keep the bridge safe for drivers."
Not surprisingly, drivers are cautioned to plan alternate routes to cross the Fraser River during the weekend closure. Also, transit customers should plan on longer travel times on two routes: the N19 NightBus (to re-route via the Alex Fraser and Queensborough Bridges) and the #321 (on Sunday morning, it will end at Scott Road).
More extensive deck repairs are still planned for 2016 as part of the broader rehabilitation program of the existing bridge.
For information on the Pattullo Bridge, customers can visit www.translink.ca/pattullo or call 604-953-3333.