Growing up in "North" Surrey in 50's and 60's the Patullo Bridge truly was "our" bridge to another world.
In those days most residents in our area (which is now the Guildford area) had a couple of acres. For the most part between business centres Whalley and Cloverdale we had all we needed to exist.
Rare trips into Vancouver were facilitated by one way and one way only, the Patullo. Though I don’t actually remember toll booths on the Patullo I do have a vivid memory of the little yellow plastic coin holder my dad had hanging on the dash of our Hillman car, which when I questioned what the pennies were for he explained they were for the bridge tolls.
My most vivid memory of the Patullo Bridge though involved my mother Peggy Chesney. In the mid 50’s there was one year where all the kids in the neighbourhood had gone off to school leaving me with only my Mom to hang out for the entire year. Mom’s routine was pretty basic, breakfast for my father and sister who would dutifully head off to work and school respectively. I would then normally head outside for the rest of the morning to explore our five acres of bush, while Mom did the housework, baked, ironed and readied supper plans.
After lunch we were off and running in the family’s second car a 1953 Mercury, a boat of a vehicle. Our travels took us to church bake sales, Avon house parties, blood donor clinics at our local church and a variety of other destinations that have faded with time.
But back to “The Patullo.” On rare occasions there was a need for Mom and I to navigate the Patullo Bridge to get to New Westminster. My mother feared those trips, she was terrified of crossing the bridge given its narrowness and close proximity to other vehicles. The curving bend on the Surrey side of the bridge meant if you were in the centre lane (there were 4 lanes) it almost appeared you were going to hit the oncoming traffic head on. As a result of this malady Mom would always choose the outside lane along the rail, which was seemingly dangerously close to my window on the passenger side. My mother’s solution to her fear to crossing the bridge was to get across as fast as she felt comfortable driving. Exiting on the New West side always caused a sigh of relief from both of us.
I couldn’t help but smile when I saw the artist’s rendition of how the old bridge could be re jigged to mirror the High-line Bridge in New York that connects two Burroughs in New York City.
The High Line provides a unique way to experience the city, enabling visitors to catch unexpected views while wandering from Greenwich Village, through West Chelsea and into Hudson Yards.
Artist rendering of reimagined Patullo
I smile because proponents of this idea have not thought this one through or have no idea of the topography. It would be quite walk from the residential area of New West to get to the bridge, and once you landed on the Surrey side you would have the option of a beer at the Turf Hotel, a trip to Felix Salvage up the road or if you were really adventurous you could hike up Scott Road and visit any on of a number of auto wreckers.
For me I plan on making the trip soon across the newly opened replacement bridge.
I plan on nudging up to the rail lane and thinking of how I would love to have been making the trip with.....“Peggy”.
David Chesney
Editor / Publisher
Local News
February 20, 2026
White Rock Council - Monday Agenda
IN CAMERA 3 p.m. Closed to the public
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING - 4 p.m.
Monday, February 23, 2026
Gallery Room, White Rock Community Centre Council Chambers
Surrey urges residents to avoid pruning City trees and heavy fines
With pruning season approaching, the City of Surrey is reminding residents not to prune or cut trees on City property. Damaging and cutting these trees is an offence under Surrey’s Tree Protection Bylaw and carries fines of up to $20,000.
“Pruning cuts made at the wrong time or the wrong place can permanently damage and weaken a tree,” said Rob Landucci, Surrey’s urban forestry manager. “This reduces its ability to provide shade, manage rainwater and provide clean air, which all help to increase property values and support our mental and physical wellbeing. Properly caring for our trees ensures that these benefits continue for our community.”
The City manages more than 115,000 shade trees on public property. Certified arborists follow proper pruning practices to support the long-term health of our trees. Each year, arborists inspect and prune more than 20,500 trees – about 1,700 per month – to keep Surrey’s urban forest green and thriving.
If you believe a City tree near your home or business needs attention, please call 604-501-5050 or submit a report online. To check if a tree is on City property, check out COSMOS, the City of Surrey Mapping Online system, and search for “Park Specimen Trees.”
Meanwhile in White Rock a simple request for view enhancement can lead to the city doing this.
Lest we forget
File photo of 2016 "Hump" clearcut along Marine Drive at the request of condo owners on Marine Drive.
Local Gangs Recruiting 10 Year Olds
Over 15,000 British Columbians have lost their lives to drug toxicity since 2016. Gang violence accounts for nearly half of all homicides in BC. Children as young as 10 are being recruited.
Enough is enough.
Join us February 22 for a FREE Public Safety Forum in Surrey featuring former gang members, victim families, government officials, and mental health professionals.
Last year, 625+ people came together. This year, we need YOUR voice.
Spaces are limited – tap Sign Up below to register (takes 10 seconds).
The South of Fraser East Area Transport Plan (ATP) will help shape the future of transit, cycling, walking, and goods movement within communities southeast of the Fraser River over the next 15 years.
Guided by our regional transportation strategy,?Transport 2050, and its vision of ‘Access for Everyone’, the South of Fraser East ATP will help TransLink prioritize future investments in the transportation network, so that everyone can easily connect to the people, places, and opportunities they want to. We want to hear from you!
Phase 1 Public Engagement
We’re inviting anyone who lives, works, or travels through the cities of Surrey, White Rock, and Langley, the Township of Langley, and North Delta to help shape your community’s transportation future.
Take the South of Fraser East ATP Phase 1 survey from February 9 to March 1, 2026.
We are hosting a series of in-person and virtual events throughout the engagement period for those who are interested in attending.
February 24 - 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Peach Arch Hospital (Inside Main Entrance)
February 14, 2026
Unwelcome Wagon
High-Risk Offender to Reside in Surrey
Surrey Police Service (SPS) is advising the public that Marinus Willemse, who has been designated a high-risk sex offender, will be residing in Surrey and is believed to pose a significant risk to women and children in the community.
Marinus Willemse is a 58-year-old White male, 5’ 11” tall, weighing approximately 225 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes
Willemse is currently on a section 810.2 Recognizance with numerous conditions, including the following:
No contact with any victims of offences or which he’s been convicted or any known members of their immediate families
Not to attend within 300 metres of any known residence, place of employment or educational facility of any of the victims or witnesses for which he’s been convicted or any known member of their immediate families
Not to possess any knives, axes, or other sharp bladed instrument used, designed to be used, or intended to be used to cut things, except for possessing a knife when preparing and eating food, or for the purpose of lawful employment, while at or going directly to and from the place of employment
Must not possess or consume alcohol, drugs, or any other intoxicating substances, except with a medical prescription
Must not possess any nylons or pantyhose, or any tool or device that can be used for the purposes of restraint, including but not limited to duct tape, straps, rope, or wire unless specifically needed for onsite employment approved by his bail supervisor
A curfew by being inside the place where he lives and regularly sleeps between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am, except when there is prior permission from his bail supervisor, going directly to and from a healthcare facility because of a medical emergency
Not to attend a public park or public swimming area where persons under the age of 16 years are present or can reasonably be expected to be present, or a daycare centre, school ground, playground or community centre
Must not engage in any form of gambling except with written permission from his bail supervisor
Not to seek or obtain employment or becoming a volunteer in a capacity that involves being in a position of trust or authority towards persons under the age of 16
Marinus Willemse will be the subject of electronic monitoring. Investigators from SPS’s Major Crime Unit will continue to monitor and ask anyone who sees him breaching his release conditions to immediately call 9-1-1.
New Bridge Opens Today
All four lanes, including the new Royal Avenue on-ramp, will open on the stal'wasem Bridge at 7 a.m. on Saturday, February 14.
For current work and traffic impacts, visit the Current Works page.
Our SURREY EAGLES return to home ice @ The South Surrey Arena on Sunday February 22 when they host Nanaimo.
HOCKEY YOU CAN'T AFFORD.......to miss!
....Plus
Wishing Surrey’s own Jenn Gardiner and all members of Team Canada Women’s Hockey the best of luck at the 2026 Winter Olympics!
Jenn’s hard work and dedication are an inspiration to our community, and we’ll be cheering her on as she represents Canada on the world stage.
Go Team Canada!
Major Drug Bust at local Border Crossing
Canadian border officers have seized close to 1,00 pounds (314 kilograms of Methamphetamine) at the Sumas border crossing in Abbotsford.
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), have released the information that a a foreign national attempted to bring the drugs into Canada using a commercial vehicle. The suspect was arrested, handed over to RCMP, and charged with possession for the purpose of importation and trafficking.
Authorities say the seizure prevented a massive amount of dangerous narcotics from reaching Canadian communities.
This marks one of the more significant recent drug interceptions at the B.C.–U.S. border.
I've been saying for years that bad engineering kills people. I literally have a list of repairs, upgrades and recommendations that I need to make to Surrey Engineering and the B.C. Ministry of Transportation for both roads and highways throughout our community. I won't bore you with all the mundane details but one of them for me is quite literally a low-hanging hemorrhoid that just won't go away.
Artist rendering of reimagined Patullo
Lest we forget
