50,000-60,000 show up for opening of Golden Ears Bridge

Wow what a day! Can you imagine aproximately 2 km of 6 lane road solid with people? Well thats what happened today as residents of Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows linked up with residents of Surrey & Langley to mark the wonderous occasion of the opening of the Golden Ears Bridge. There were so many people that authorities had to close down access from the north side for a time as the centre-span area became too congested.

What an incredible day, there can be now no doubt that this bridge will drive economic development in the eastern part of Metro Vancouver like nothing else ever has. Real Estate values in Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows in my opinion will benefit the most from the Golden Ears Bridge as commute time, access to the border and commerce to the south will now make the North East sector very attractive for home purchasers.

Not only is this span practical and necessary it is a very beautiful addition to the landscape. The centre piers are adorned with beautiful Golden Eagles sculptures which seem to soar in the air. The glistening white cables that suspend the bridge deck have a geometric simplicity that pleases the eyes. The solemn blessing of the bridge by the Katzie nation spiritual advisor which was done in the form of a song rang out from the middle of the Fraser River and was a fitting gesture to mark this spans useful life. I paused for a moment to reflect on what their ancestors would have thought hundreds and thousands of years ago if they could have seen what man was capable of accomplishing.