My personal history with Pattullo goes back about 29 years however the name played an important role for me in high school biology. I used to be able to remember that the knee cap was called the “patella” since it was like a bridge between the femur and tibia (at least in my mind it helped, anyway).
All silliness aside, since the Pattullo Bridge is in the news and affecting lives and commutes more than ever since a fire shut it down days ago, I thought I would discover more about this infamous crossing and the man after which it was named.
Duff Pattullo (left) with Prime Minister W.L. Mackenzie King
and J-A Godbout from
McCord Museum136 years ago, Thomas Dufferin Pattullo was born in Woodstock, Ontario. He traveled west during his formative years and began working in Dawson City government (and was ‘acting assistant gold commissioner’) until he moved to Prince Rupert in 1908 to work in real estate and insurance. He was elected as a Liberal party MLA in 1916 as Minister of Lands Responsible for Forestry and was leader of the opposition from 1928 until 1933 when he was elected Premier of BC. He was the top man in our province until 1941.
Faced with the tremendous economic and social problems of the Great Depression, Pattullo was innovative in extending the role of government. His frustration with the limitations of provincial power led to a battle with Ottawa that resulted in a reappraisal of Canadian federalism. After an inconclusive 1941 election, he rejected a coalition with the Conservatives and was rebuffed by his own party. [Canadian Encyclopedia]
1937: Archives# Br P29.
1937: Archives# Br P70.
On November 15th, 1937 Duff Pattullo ceremoniously cut a chain-link barrier to officially open the crossing from New Westminster to Surrey, named in his honor.
In brief remarks he told the assembled throng the bridge was a “thing of beauty”. Words other than “beauty” spring to the minds of drivers these days for that bridge. At peak times on the Pattullo 3,700 vehicles an hour (a car a second) speed along its narrow, curving lanes, each just three metres wide each, some 61 centimetres or two feet narrower than today’s standard. [Vancouver History]
A luncheon was served later that day at the Queen’s Park Arena.
In July of 2008, Translink approved the plan to put a toll on the new crossing that would replace the Pattullo however when the bridge as we know it was built it was also tolled and earner the nickname, “Pay Toll O“.
Thomas Dufferin Pattullo himself was laid to rest in Royal Oak Cemetery in Victoria (side note) it’s also where you can also find the final resting place of Frank and Lester Patrick – the brothers who helped found modern hockey and bring it to Vancouver.
Pattullo was a ground-breaking leader in our province and his legacy lives on in the legislature and in our history… albeit most famously through his namesake bridge which has an uncertain future.
“Wake up! America’s about to inaugurate its first African American president!” John bellowed this morning as I slowly slipped out from between the sheets and took my place on the couch. I don’t have the most exciting “where were you?” story as I’m sitting, wrapped in fleece blankets from Iowa, with my MacBook on my lap, writing blog posts and checking RSS feeds. As such, I’ll ask you…
[poll id=”24″]
I’ll be updating this post throughout the morning with photos and comments.
Update: The CBC is confirming that a visit to Canada it at the top of Obama’s agenda, “U.S. president-elect Barack Obama plans to travel to Canada for his first international trip after he takes office, the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed Saturday. “We have been in close contact with president-elect Obama’s transition team. We can confirm that the president-elect has accepted the prime minister’s invitation to visit Canada soon after he is inaugurated,” a statement released by Stephen Harper’s office said.”
Update: Aretha Franklin just sang, followed by the swearing in of Joe Biden as Vice President. Now we have another musical performance, arranged by John Williams.
Update: “That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.” [Text as prepared for delivery]
“Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America – they will be met. On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.” [Text as prepared for delivery]
…
“America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.”
Photos captured from the CBC’s coverage, January 20, 2009
Often there are events for women — women in business, women at home, and women around the world. No matter the context, gathering a group of individuals together for a weekend of networking, inspiration, and conversation is always a good thing, which is why I’ll share some information about “Becoming She – a premiere one-day women’s leadership development event” taking place February 7th at a lovely resort on the Sunshine Coast.
Through a series of discussions and coaching exercises, and advice offered by our guests, you will witness a possible perception shift and leave with a framework and personal action plan that will allow you to begin your own personal ascent in taking your leadership capabilities and your lives to the highest level, the ascent into Becoming She.
Speakers include
Dr. Hazel Henderson, a global leader in placing the environment’s health above profits. She is a world renowned futurist, evolutionary economist, a worldwide syndicated columnist, award winning author and international keynote speaker, and founder of Ethical Markets Media.
Dr. Riane Eisler, proposes a new economics that gives visibility and value to the most essential human work, the work of caring for people and the planet. She is President of the Center for Partnership Studies, an international speaker, and award-winning author.
Nancy Rivard, founded Airline Ambassadors, a charity that has hand-delivered over $46 million of aid to children in 52 countries in orphanages, clinics and remote communities worldwide.
Dr. Nancy Roof, PhD, believes we are the first generation called to the task of co-creating a sustainable and compassionate global civilization. She is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the integral global journal Kosmos.
Becoming She will take place at the fabulous Painted Boat Resort — meaning spa services and entertainment will be readily available. Tickets are $199 including lunch (and the ferry ride is super cheap over to Langdale). Overnight packages are available and if you’re with a group (a table of 8 guests is $1500). More information is available through CSJ Events.
I’ll be heading back to GM Place to meetup with other Canucks Fan Zone bloggers, podcasters and content creators for the Canucks’ official live blog. We’ll be sitting at our kiosk near section 111 so feel free to stop by and say hi. We record live video and audio hits, blog, post photos on the fly, do live polls, and give opinions on the game. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
I’ve written enough about the Pattullo Bridge over the years that this aging decrepit structure has warranted its own tag; from asbestos in the deck, possible tolls, to lanes that are dangerously slim. Early this morning a fire broke out under its deck, forcing those who depend on it as a Fraser River crossing to take detours.
The Pattullo Bridge is closed after a fire affecting its supports on the Surrey side, raising fears it could be shut for months. Bridge engineers are now inspecting the damage. TransLink spokesman Ken Hardie said nobody should plan to use the bridge tomorrow. He said the worst case scenario is the bridge could be closed for months if major structural repairs are required. [Surrey Leader]
…
A wooden section near the south end of the bridge caught fire. According to TransLink, an arsonist may have been responsible. TransLink engineers examined the damaged trestle to determine if it must be replaced, and Hardie is now saying it “looks like an extended closure.” TransLink is meeting this afternoon with RCMP and transport ministry officials to develop a plan for the area. That will be followed by an announcement from TransLink CEO Tom Prendergast and Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon at 4:30 p.m. [The Province]
To say that this will disrupt the commuting situation is an understatement. 80,000 commuters will be diverted to the Port Mann and Alex Fraser, while hopefully there are some extra SkyTrains running to help get tens of thousands of people to work and back. The Pattullo is an enormous part of our region’s transportation infrastructure and it’s pretty terrible that even after over a dozens deaths due to its narrow lanes and crumbling structure there are still no signs of its replacement on the horizon.
Update: Experts are projecting that the closure will last “from 4 to 6 weeks”. No bikes will be allowed on SkyTrain to accommodate the extra passengers and trains will run earlier, from 4:30am.
Update: Commuters should look at transit as an option. This morning I heard that SkyTrains were no more full than usual however it took about 1.5 hours to go only a few blocks in heavy traffic for the other bridges and routes.
