Major rehabilitation work on the Pattullo Bridge won't begin until the end of April but New Westminster's mayor is encouraging drivers to adjust their routes now.

TransLink says the bridge averages between 60,000 and 80,000 trips a day. Many drivers will be forced to take the tolled Port Mann, the Alex Fraser or commute by transit with closures expected to last for months.

"We are expecting there to be increased congestion and delays in the road network near the [span] and anyone who has the opportunity to find an alternative route or switch their travel periods to different times, we would be recommending that they do that," New Westminster Mayor Jonathan Cote said.

Cote does not believe the project will ultimately ease traffic congestion in his city.

"Even though it will be less traffic going through, there will be more queuing and waiting to get onto the bridge. We're unfortunately probably going to have just as much disruption, if not more with these lane closures," he said. "But we are hoping that traffic will start to adjust so we don't really face a negative situation."

He hopes the increased congestion doesn't start to filter over to residential neighbourhoods, keeping traffic on regional routes.

Closed from the evening of April 29 to the morning of May 2 to allow crews to set up for construction work.

Open one lane in each direction from May 2 to September 30.

Closed from the evening of September 30 to the morning of October 3 for crews to remove equipment.

Closed to all traffic two nights a week and one weekend a month until October 3.

The repairs are expected to cost $10 million for deck rehabilitation. The scope of the project was revised in the fall of 2015 from $100 million — that original estimate was meant to incorporate seismic upgrades as well. TransLink has since said seismic upgrades are not possible within that budget, and has reduced the scope of the work to be done on the 78-year-old bridge until it can be replaced.

Up until now the bridge has been maintained with patch jobs through a series of summer closures, but TransLink says major repairs are now needed to keep the bridge safe.

Cost to businesses

Closures on a major commuter span will likely mean it takes more time to move goods around the region according to Surrey Board of Trade CEO Anita Huberman.

Although she supports the work being done, she says it's going to hurt the bottom line for many businesses.

"When they're caught in traffic, that is a cost. When they're caught in congestion that is a cost to business," she said.

She's also urging people and businesses to look now for different options to get around the region.

"That includes the Port Mann, which is a tolled option. The Alex Fraser I imagine will be completely congested because that's a free option."