Bridge Closure Notice + Nighttime Warming Centre

Issue #485

Inside the New West Spotlight

 🌞 Weather - Sunny

 😜 Rain Joke - What did the raindrop say to the leaf? 🍃 

 🔦 Business Spotlight - Belmont Dental Centre

 🗓️ New West Events - Picking up the pace, with more things worth checking out.

 🗞️ New West Local News - Bridge Closure Notice + Nighttime Warming Centre

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Local New Westminster Weather

Historical Records for Today - Record high 11.5 2016 - Record low -4.5 2021

🤖 Tin Man Reveal

This week’s Tin Man stops:

🍰 Take the Cake
👓️ Eye Express Optical

Want to see who guessed it first?
👉 Check out the original posts on Instagram and Facebook

The Tin Man is already on the move again. Keep an eye on our socials — the next sighting is coming Monday 👀

Check out all of our local New Westminster Events

January 23, 2026

☕️ Business Breakfast Series at Inn at The Quay  7:45 AM to 10:30 AM

🧒 Toddler Time (12-36 months)  10:30 AM to 11:00 AM

👶 Babytime (0-12 months)  12:00 PM to 12:30 PM

🍼 Baby Social (0-23 months)  12:30 PM to 1:30 PM

👪️ Family Place Storytime & Play Lab  12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

📖 French Reading Buddies (6-9 years)  4:00 PM to 4:45 PM

🎲 Friendsday Night Board Games – 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM

🎭️ 13! Junior at NWSS Theatre – 7:00 PM

🎲 Howe Sound Hitmix Bingo – 7:00 PM

🎙️ Weekly Karaoke Every Friday – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

🎙️ Notorious Grey Fox Karaoke Friday Nights – 9:00 PM until Close

January 24, 2026

🗣️ Spanish Conversation Drop-in  10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

🏞️ Blustery Fraser Canyon  10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🧶 Knitting & Crocheting Circle  11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

🖊️ Indigenous Brilliance Art and Writing Circle  12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

🧵 Rug Tufting at Arrieta Art Studio  12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

🎲 Let's Connect and play Board Games  1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🤝 Cérémonie de Bienvenue  1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🎵 Live Music with Rocky Riobo at Flapper Lounge – 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM

🎹 Jazz Cats Social - Tom Arntzen and the Aviators! – 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM

🎶 Justin Willman - One For The Ages Tour – 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM

🕺 Saturday Dance Party at Georgie's  10:00 PM to 1:00 AM

🥊 UFC 324: Gaethje vs Pimblett – at Match Eatery

🕹️ Fighting Game Night  Phantom Alley

January 25, 2026

🏞️ Blustery Fraser Canyon  10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

👪️ Family Literacy Day  11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

🧿 January Beading Workshop  2:00 PM & 4:00 PM

🎭️ Poetry and Art Salon with Janet Kvammen  2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🧵 Introduction to Garment Making  2:30 PM to 8:00 PM

🧘 Yang Tai Chi 24 form  5:00 PM

🎙️ Georgie's Local Sunday Night Open Mic!  6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎼 Rainbow Chorus of New West: "Be The Change"  7:00 PM to 9:30 PM

🎭️ Quejas - Comedia en Español - Vancouver  7:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Drivers in New Westminster should prepare for major travel changes in early February, as both the Pattullo Bridge and the new Stal̕əw̓asəm (Riverview) Bridge will close for approximately one full week, temporarily eliminating all vehicle crossings between New Westminster and Surrey at this location.

The closure is required to complete final roadway tie-ins on both sides of the Fraser River as part of the Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project. While exact dates have not yet been announced, officials say the timing will be confirmed once weather conditions allow.

During the closure, traffic will be redirected to the Port Mann and Alex Fraser bridges, which are expected to see increased congestion. New Westminster residents—particularly those commuting to Surrey—are encouraged to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and consider alternative routes or transit where possible.

Once the work is complete, four lanes of traffic will reopen across the river, split between the new and old bridges. Full opening of the Stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge, including the Royal Avenue on-ramp, is expected later in February.

More updates will be shared as dates are confirmed.

As winter temperatures dip, the City of New Westminster is making sure no one has to face the cold alone. The Nighttime Warming Centre at 40 Begbie Street will be open tonight, Friday, January 23, offering a safe and welcoming space for those who need warmth, rest, and support overnight.

When activated, the Nighttime Warming Centre operates from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM, providing more than just shelter from the cold. Guests are invited to come in, dry off, warm up, and access essentials including mats, washrooms, hot coffee and drinks, food, and warm clothing.

Warming Centres are activated during periods of extreme winter weather, including:

  • Temperatures at or below 0°C, or

  • Snow accumulation combined with near-freezing conditions

If you or someone you know could benefit from this service, please consider sharing this information within your community. Sometimes, a simple share can make a meaningful difference.

🔗 Learn more about winter supports and warming centres at newwestcity.ca/staywarm

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️ 

🌧️ What did the raindrop say to the leaf? 🍃 

“You really know how to catch me!” ☔

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