NEW WESTMINSTER (NEWS1130) – The province says it will foot the bill for a single-lane replacement for the Bailey Bridge.

But the government has outlined conditions in exchange for paying for the bridge. The City of New Westminster will be expected to pay for installation and maintenance costs.

Under the terms of the government’s offer, the City will also be responsible for installing a second bridge to allow for two-way traffic. It’s unclear at this stage what will cost more: the installation or the bridge itself.

The government says it’s doing this to help ease traffic congestion and allow people to get to Royal Columbian Hospital faster.

But New Westminster City Councillor Chuck Puchmayr says twinning the bridge has never been something the city council wanted, as it would increase traffic to the city.

“The letter very clearly undermines the lengthy process that we have agreed to go on, to go to binding arbitration,” Puchmayr explains.

Transportation Minister Todd Stone says he respects whatever decision New Westminster ultimately makes, but this is a take it or leave it offer.

“If New West says ‘no,’ that’s completely their right, I will respect that,” Stone tells News1130. “New West would then be on their own, effectively, in terms of securing and implementing a Bailey Bridge for the one lane.”

Stone says the government’s loan for the bridge would amount to a $200 million grant. He also says the closure of the bridge affects almost 10,000 drivers per day, adding he feels a temporary two-lane structure should be built instead of replacing the existing single-lane span.