PATTULLO Bridge had to be closed down abruptly on Monday evening because of unruly behaviour by some people that could have resulted in tragedy.
Last week, TransLink had announced that the sidewalk would remain open for cyclists and pedestrians until the morning of February 17.
However, TransLink announced on Monday evening that due to weather conditions, and to ensure public safety, the Pattullo Bridge had been closed to everyone.
Staff-Sgt. Lindsey Houghton, Senior Media Relations Officer for Surrey Police Service, told The VOICE on Tuesday that on Monday at about 4:30 p.m., on-site security called police as some people were trying to climb up the bridge’s arch.
Surrey Police and New Westminster Police arrived at the scene and persuaded two people who had climbed up a short way to come down. There were about 30 people queued up to climb up as well.
A short time later the bridge was shut down by the Province and Patullo Bridge Replacement Co.
However, police were called back at about 7 p.m. after a group of about 30 pedestrians tried to force their way past security onto the bridge. SPS and Transit Police attended. The group expressed their anger and hurled abuses at the police officers before deciding to leave.
Incidentally, SPS has police jurisdiction over the south half of the bridge and New Westminster Police over the north half. Transit Police also have jurisdiction because the bridge is a TransLink bridge.
