PATTULLO BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT PUBLIC CONSULTATION REPORT: APPLICATION REVIEW December 2018 Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project Environmental Assessment Public Consultation Report 1 Table of Contents 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 3 1.1 Project Background ............................................................................................................................................. 3 1.2 Consultation and Engagement Objectives .......................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Purpose of this Report ........................................................................................................................................ 4 2. Public Consultation to Date .................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Summary of Public Consultation ......................................................................................................................... 5 2.2 Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach ............................................................................................................. 5 3. Public Comment Period .......................................................................................................... 5 3.1 Duration .............................................................................................................................................................. 5 3.2 Number of Submissions ...................................................................................................................................... 5 3.3 Summary of Public Issues and Concerns Raised ................................................................................................. 5 4. Notification ............................................................................................................................ 6 4.1 Newspaper Advertisement ................................................................................................................................. 6 4.2 Stakeholder Email ............................................................................................................................................... 6 4.3 Earned Media ...................................................................................................................................................... 7 5. Public Open Houses ............................................................................................................... 7 5.1 Purpose ............................................................................................................................................................... 7 5.2 Format ................................................................................................................................................................. 7 5.3 Display Materials ................................................................................................................................................. 7 Appendix A – Public Comments and Responses Tracking Table Appendix B – Newspaper Advertisement Appendix C – Stakeholder Email Appendix D – Public Information Session Display Boards Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project Environmental Assessment Public Consultation Report 2 1. Introduction 1.1 Project Background Strategically located between the Port Mann and Alex Fraser/Queensborough bridges, the Pattullo Bridge provides a direct connection between New Westminster and Surrey, across the Fraser River. The central location of the bridge makes it a vital link in the regional transportation network for people, goods and services. Openede in 1937, th 80‐year‐old structure does not meet modern design standards and would be at risk in the event of a moderate earthquake or ship collision. Its piers are at risk of being undermined by river scour and many bridge components have surpassed their useful lives. Existing sidewalks, barriers, and connections for pedestrians and cyclists do not provide the level of protection from traffic that a newer facility would provide. A regular maintenance program has extended the existing bridge’s lifespan but escalating efforts to prolong its use are no longer cost effective. An assessment of maintenance needs has revealed that upgrading the existing bridge to meet modern safety standards would be extremely challenging, both technically and financially. Replacing the existing bridge is essential for maintaining a critical river crossing for both people and goods between the cities of New Westminster and Surrey. The new four‐lane Pattullo Bridge will provide important improvements for everyone using the bridge, including people who are driving, cycling or walking, as well as communities on either side of the bridge: a safer crossing for all bridge users with modern, wider lanes separated by a centre median barrier; dedicated walking and cycling lanes, separated from traffic by a median on both sides of the bridge; better connections to, from and near the bridge. The British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office (BCEAO) and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority have agreed to a coordinated provincial‐federal environmental assessment process for the proposed project, with the Environmental Assessment Office as the lead agency. The harmonized environmental assessment process will incorporate the port authority’s federal requirements to meet both the Province and the port authority’s respective assessment processes. At the conclusion of the harmonized environmental assessment process, the port authority will make a determination under section 67 of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 of whether the project is likely to result in significant adverse environmental effects. The proposed project is required to obtain a Project and Environmental Review project permit from the port authority to proceed and is categorized as a Category D project. Planning and engagement for the Project has been underway since 2012. During this time, work was undertaken to raise awareness of the Project, receive feedback from stakeholders and interested parties, and respond to Project‐ related enquiries. 1.2 Consultation and Engagement Objectives In June 2018, the Proponent submitted a Public Consultation Plan to the BCEAO that described a Communications and Engagement Program for the Proposed Project as it progresses through the harmonized environmental assessment process. The consultation program was designed to address the following objectives: 1. Inform community, stakeholders and the public about the project and opportunities to provide input. Build public awareness of the Project by providing timely and relevant information about the Project and the environmental and regulatory review process and opportunities for the public and stakeholders to provide input. Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project Environmental Assessment Public Consultation Report 3 2. Gather community, stakeholder and public input, both within and in addition to the EA process. Gather input regarding the interests and concerns of the public and stakeholders related to the Project, including the environmental, economic, heritage, health and social conditions in the Project area and potential effects to those conditions and proposed mitigation measures. 3. Report community, stakeholder and public input. Report out on the results of feedback and input received during consultation rounds. Consultation summary reports will be posted online. 4. Consider community, stakeholder and public input. Refine elements of the Project or develop proposed mitigation measures to address input where possible, subject to technical and financial constraints. 5. Meet regulator’s public consultation requirements for the harmonized EA. This includes two public comment periods, tracking public input, and communicating to the public how public comments will be addressed in the EA. MOTI’s project website will provide information about the EA throughout the EA review process and will direct interested members of the public to the EAO’s website to provide comments during the public comment periods. In accordance with the EAO’s requirements, MOTI will maintain a tracking table to respond to each individual public comment provided during a public comment period in each stage of the EA. Part D, Section 13 of the Environmental Assessment Certificate (EAC) Application included a summary of public consultations to date and the consultation proposed for the Application Review period. Consultation Summary Reports can be viewed in Appendix 18.19 – Public Consultation Support Documents. 1.3 Purpose of this Report The purpose of this document is to report on the results of public consultation activities in accordance with the Section 11 Procedural Order. An overview of public consultation to date, including stakeholder engagement and outreach is presented in Section 2. This report also provides a summary of the Application Review public comment period, including notification and public information sessions. Key themes of public views, issues and concerns from the Application Review phase are presented in Section 3.3, and detailed responses to individual public comments are presented in Appendix A. 2. Public Consultation to Date Planning and engagement for the Project has been underway since 2012, including multiple rounds of formal public consultation