METRO VANCOUVER - The two cities at either end of the Pattullo Bridge remain at odds over how to replace the aging span, with most Surrey residents preferring a new six-lane crossing and those in New Westminster rejecting it.

A joint consultation report, released Monday, found 58 per cent of North Surrey participants — and 57 per cent of those in Metro Vancouver — support a new and bigger crossing, compared with just 38 per cent in New Westminster.

At the same time, 59 per cent of those consulted in New Westminster would prefer building a four-lane Surrey-Coquitlam bridge with a two- or three-lane rehabilitated Pattullo, compared with 43 per cent in North Surrey.

The two options are among six suggestions TransLink has whittled down for the 76-year-old Pattullo, which may not survive a moderate earthquake or ship collision, as the piers are at risk of being undermined by river scour and many bridge components have surpassed their useful lives.

The other options include either a new four-lane or five-lane bridge at the existing location, or a three or four-lane rehabilitated crossing. Fifty-three per cent of North Surrey residents and 45 per cent of New Westminster participants said they would support a new four-lane crossing.

Opened in 1937, the Pattullo is one of the oldest bridges in the Lower Mainland, serving primarily as a connection between Surrey, New Westminster and Burnaby. On average, about 73,000 vehicles per week day travel over the bridge, and the bridge sidewalk serves a small volume of pedestrians and cyclists.

The report notes the bridge is narrow and winding, does not have adequate sidewalks and barriers for pedestrians and cyclists and is choked by gridlock during rush hour. The current traffic volumes, it adds, affects affect the livability of the adjacent communities due to air quality, noise and resulting health impacts.