TransLink will hold an open house in New Westminster this month to present its plan for replacing the aging Pattullo Bridge, which involves moving the access point from Royal Avenue to Front Street.

"Our preferred option is to connect to a new Pattullo Bridge via McBride Boulevard, East Columbia and Front Street," TransLink spokesman Ken Hardie said.

The preferred option is about 100 metres upstream from the current bridge, Hardie told The Province.

The new bridge would have six lanes and is estimated to cost between $800 million and $1 billion.

Access to the bridge on the Surrey side wouldn't change as significantly as the New Westminster side, although it would require changes to Scott Road and 128th Street.

TransLink is holding two open houses - on in Surrey and one in New Westminster - to present the plan.

"We'd like people to come to the sessions, to look at the plan. ... We want to give context, hopefully to put away fears and misconceptions," he said.

The public will also get the chance to offer feedback.

He said after hearing from the public at the open houses, TransLink will come up with a plan for approval by Surrey and New Westminster councils.

TransLink wants the new bridge open earlier than 2020, Hardie said.

"We want to have it in place well before that so, I would say, 2015 to 2016 would be a good target for us to have a new one ready to go," he said.

As for whether there will be a toll for the new bridge, Hardie said that hasn't been decided.

"If we can find another way to pay for it, it won't be tolled, but if it's between a toll and not having a bridge, there would be a toll. The old bridge must be replaced," he said.

The open houses are Sept. 14, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Chuck Baillie Community Centre at 13458-107A Ave., Surrey, and Sept 21, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Justice Institute at 715 McBride Blvd., New Westminster.