New Name of the Pattullo Bridge stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge

With opening day fast approaching, the Pattullo Bridge has received its new name from Kwantlen First Nation and Musqueam Indian Band: stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge.

New Name of the Pattullo Bridge stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge

stal̕əw̓asəm can be understood as “a space where you can view the river”. The English name is Riverview. The name recognizes First Nations’ historical and current connections to the area. Former Musqueam Indian Reserve No. 1 and Kwantlen Indian Reserve No. 8 were in qiqéyt, an important village site near the base of the bridge in Surrey.

Pronunciation

stal̕əw̓asəm can be understood as “a space where you can view the river.” The English name is Riverview. While an English translation of the bridge name is provided, learning and using the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ name is encouraged. It is an opportunity to honour and celebrate Indigenous language and culture, support language revitalization, and demonstrate a commitment to reconciliation.

“A traditional name is not bestowed lightly and carries reminders and responsibilities,” said Chief Marilyn Gabriel, Kwantlen First Nation. “With the new name, we honour our past, present and future, and the importance of this area to both Kwantlen and Musqueam. We also reflect on our long-standing connections to sacred lands and resources on both sides of the bridge crossing and stal̕əw̓ (Fraser River). The name reminds us that with many connections shared in this area, we all are responsible to honour and uphold its well-being and generosity it has provided for countless generations.”

• Read the pronunciation guide

“This new bridge being named stal̕əw̓asəm is a major milestone for hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ revitalization. It demonstrates the Province of B.C.’s commitment to reconciliation through acknowledging the true history of the lands and water where the bridge stands,” said Chief Wayne Sparrow, Musqueam Indian Band. “Musqueam is grateful to the many years of collaborative work that was undertaken with the Province of B.C. and our relatives at Kwantlen First Nation to reach this historic day.”

This also marks a major milestone as traffic will begin shifting to the stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge from the Pattullo Bridge in phases over the coming weeks as final works wrap.

The new bridge includes four wider lanes with a centre median, and barrier-separated walking and cycling lanes. This means people, vehicles and transport trucks can travel between New Westminster and Surrey faster and more safely. Road signage will include both the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ name and English translation.

As a part of the Province’s commitment to reconciliation, Coast Salish artwork, featuring themes of kinship-based trade, transportation and intergenerational connection, is being integrated into project elements on and around the new bridge. This artwork reflects the threads of kinship that have woven First Nations communities together since time immemorial. Storytelling, language and educational signage will recognize the culture, history, and continued stewardship of the land and waters along this section of the Fraser River.

• Related: New Pattullo Bridge Opening Day
• The new Pattullo bridge is scheduled to open by Christmas 2025. On opening day, it will connect to King George Boulevard in Surrey and McBride Boulevard in New Westminster. The off-ramp to East Columbia Street in New Westminster will also be open.
• The existing bridge will remain in use until the new bridge is open to traffic. Once the new bridge is open, the existing bridge will be removed. The removal process for the Pattullo Bridge will take approximately two years.

The new bridge optimizes the use of the existing road network and travel patterns to improve safety and reliability for everyone. It has also been designed to meet modern seismic, structural and roadway design standards.