Stunning steel art panels featuring local wildlife and nature will soon adorn South Surrey’s Nicomekl Bridge, celebrating community, art, and ecology.
A Bridge That Blends Art, Nature, and Community
Something beautiful is coming to South Surrey’s Nicomekl Bridge and it’s not just the view. Soon, the bridge will showcase 12 powder-coated steel panels celebrating the rich life that surrounds the Nicomekl River.
Each panel tells a story from the flowing waters and local wildlife to the connection between nature and time. The installation, approved unanimously by Surrey City Council on November 3, promises to turn a simple bridge crossing into an art-filled experience.
The Artist Behind the Vision
The stunning designs are the creation of Moozhan Ahmadzadegan, a talented UBC Okanagan graduate and winner of the 2025 Tanabe Prize for emerging artists. His work beautifully captures the spirit of the Nicomekl River, which winds gracefully from Langley to Mud Bay.
Ahmadzadegan’s panels feature beavers, coho salmon, Great Blue herons, hummingbirds, cedar, maple, alder, and licorice ferns each representing a different part of the ecosystem. The series begins and ends with panels symbolizing the sun and moon, while the chosen colors reflect the four natural elements: water, earth, fire, and air.
“It’s a celebration of life’s natural rhythm,” explained Laurie Cavan, Surrey’s parks, recreation, and culture general manager. “The design connects the past, present, and future through the passage of time.”
Council’s Applause for Public Art
Council members couldn’t hide their enthusiasm. Mayor Brenda Locke called the project “fabulous” and praised the city’s growing collection of public art. Coun. Pardeep Kooner echoed the sentiment, saying, “Public art helps create vibrant communities. It’s making a huge difference across Surrey.”
The city’s Public Art Reserve will fund the $185,000 project, which is expected to be completed before summer 2026.
More Art Lighting Up Surrey
The Nicomekl Bridge project is just one part of a broader artistic wave sweeping across the city. Council also approved:
- Utility box wraps by Manjot Kaur, Mustaali Raj, and Asami Watanabe for 27 Fraser Highway locations adding color and creativity as the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain expands.
- Artwork at Robertson Drive Park by Keely O’Brien, featuring a welcoming gate and wall panel design that reflect the park’s spirit of connection.
Together, these projects highlight Surrey’s commitment to transforming public spaces into vibrant showcases of creativity and community pride.
A Bridge to the Future
When the final panels are installed, the Nicomekl Bridge won’t just link two sides of the river it’ll connect people, nature, and art in a way that feels timeless.
In the words of one council member: “We’ve been bringing forward a lot of art projects throughout the city, and I think it’s made a huge difference.”
Soon, every crossing over the Nicomekl will be more than a commute it’ll be a journey through art, nature, and imagination.
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