Indigenous art related to Pattullo Bridge replacement reflects First Nations’ connections to area

CANADA, June 17 - First Nations cultural recognition:

• The Fraser River and its shorelines have been actively used by First Nations since time immemorial for fishing, harvesting and other important activities.
• First Nations artists are exploring themes of kinship-based trade, transportation and inter-generational connection through their artwork.
• These themes will feature strongly in artwork visible on the new bridge structure and approaches in New Westminster and Surrey.
• The work of Kwantlen artist q̓ʷɑt̓ic̓ɑ, Phyllis Atkins is inspired by her life-long connection to the stɑl’əw̓ (Fraser River).
• The artwork is dedicated to her friend, Garrett Martindale, who worked with q̓ʷɑt̓ic̓ɑ on white sturgeon acoustic telemetry studies.

Highway 17-Old Yale Road overpass and Bridge Road in Surrey:

• Traffic fully shifted onto the new Highway 17 overpass on June 2, 2025, allowing traffic to continue uninterrupted above Old Yale Road.
• The overpass will also accommodate a direct off-ramp from the new bridge to westbound Highway 17.
• Construction of the new off-ramp is ongoing.
• Bridge Road will become a two-way road with a new multi-use path connecting to the bridge.
• The embossed design is visible from Old Yale Road and Bridge Road.