New Westminster's Neighbourhood Traffic Advisory Committee has recommended that city council not support replacing the Pattullo Bridge.

The committee also voted that the city insist tolls be placed on the Pattullo to coincide with tolls being instituted when the new Port Mann Bridge is opened.

The majority of committee members at the May 16 meeting supported the idea of having no bridge at all because replacing the existing one with a larger span would increase traffic.

There were only two dissenting votes when the motion to recommend not supporting the replacement was called.

Members were also worried the Port Mann Bridge tolls would increase traffic in New Westminster as drivers seek a route that was toll-free.

The committee also recommended council direct city staff to arrange for additional air quality testing in sensitive locations such as around schools before the new Port Mann Bridge is opened.

The issue continues to grow in New Westminster.

Dennis Paulley, president of the Massey-Victory Heights Residents Association, said its meetings have become much more well attended because of the issue. He's even come up with a motto for the Pattullo: "Toll it or tear it down."

"That's the general consensus around here," said Paulley.

"Hopefully city council is going to pay attention to what the voters out there are saying. If anyone's got any other options, then great, but there's a fear that any more traffic from the bridge is going to affect [residential areas]."

Paulley pointed out Vancouver rejected having a freeway run through it in the 1960s, and another crossing to the North Shore built to replace the Lions Gate Bridge in the 1990s.

New Westminster can do the same.

"If Vancouver can decline a highway or an expansion on their bridge, then we should be treated no differently," said Paulley.

Meanwhile, TransLink has set its dates for a second round of open houses on the Pattullo Bridge project.

The first is Thursday, June 21 from 2 to 8 p.m. at Simon Fraser University's Surrey campus with another at the Sapperton Pensioners Hall on Saturday, June 23 from 10 a.m to 3 p.m.

Another session will be held at the pensioners hall on Tuesday, June 26, from 2 to 8 p.m., and at Surrey SFU on Wednesday, June 27, 2-8 p.m.

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© Copyright New Westminster NewsLeader 2015

A fixture in the Victory Heights neighbourhood is dressed up for May Day - with a little help from his friends.

Neda Murray reports that her daughter's decorative pig Harvey is once again dolled up for May Day, although he's sporting a different look than in the past.

In previous years, owner Heather Winnichuk has dressed up her cement pig as a May Queen.

"He is a Royal Engineer. He has the anvil in front of him," Murray said of this year's outfit. "He is seasonal. He gets dressed for every occasion. You know what May means in New Westminster."

Winnichuk said neighbours Bill and Lynn Radbourne get the credit for this year's outfit.

"They put this together, and they created this amazing anvil," Winnichuk said. "He's not an easy pig to fit. It's awesome. He's pretty cute, I have to say."

May Day is one of the premier events during the annual Hyack Festival in New Westminster.

The Radbournes are big supporters of the Hyack Festival Association, with Bill being its current president and Lynn serving as coordinator of its ambassador program.

Winnichuk said it "takes the pressure off me" when other people offer to dress Harvey for various occasions.

This was the fourth time someone has offered to dress the pig, which has become a bit of a neighbourhood attraction.

"It's a parade," Murray said. "Everybody and his dog stops to look."

Winnichuk has actually met people who, upon learning she lives in Victory Heights, have asked if she lives near "the pig house" in the neighbourhood.

Winnichuk has been outfitting Harvey in various costumes since her husband bought her the pig as a gift a number of years ago.

"It puts a smile on so many people's faces," Murray said. "She thinks it is well worth it."

tmcmanus@royalcityrecord.com

© 2015 New West Record