Major roadways in Surrey and Delta will start getting a series of transportation infrastructure upgrades this year for an estimated price tag of more than $245 million.
Announced Friday morning, the project involves five major improvements along three key, interconnected gateway corridors that the Transportation Ministry says will help communities by reducing congestion and boost Asia-Pacific trade opportunities. Included in the plan are upgrades to Highway 91, Highway 91 Connector, Highway 17, and Deltaport Way/27B Avenue.
“These highway upgrades will reduce travel times for container trucks serving Deltaport and for British Columbians living in communities south of the Fraser River,” Scott Hamilton, MLA for Delta North, said in a release.
“By improving the flow of traffic through this region, residents and local businesses will be better connected to their communities, both socially and economically.”
The estimated total cost of the improvements is $245,176,671 and will be divided among the federal ($81 million) and provincial ($80 million) governments and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority ($80 million). The Tswwassen First Nation is also contributing $3.5 million to the project.
The plan breakdown is as follows:
Highway 91/Nordel Way Interchange – Total estimated cost: $91,472,337
- Construction of two new two-lane off-ramps for Highway 91 traffic into Surrey;
- Construction of 4.9 kilometres in new acceleration and deceleration lanes;
- Construction of a two-lane overpass on Nordel Way for westbound traffic over Highway 91 that will parallel the existing overpass.
Highway 91 Connector /Nordel Way Intersection – Total estimated cost: $53,407,977
- Removal of the current signalized intersection that connects Nordel Way North and the Highway 91 Connector, as well as the construction of a new, grade separated intersection and overpass further north of the existing one;
- Construction of 3.2 kilometres in new lanes for access roads and ramps; and,
- Construction of a new intersection on Highway 91 Connector that features access-management improvements such as right in/right out turning lanes;
- Improved access to the Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) weigh scale and Nordel overnight truck parking area.
Highway 91 Connector/Highway 17/River Road (Sunbury) Interchange – Total estimated cost: $82,230,931
- Construction of a new interchange replacing the existing traffic signal at Highway 17 and Highway 91 Connector;
- Removal of the signalized railway crossing on 96 street connection over the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe rail tracks;
- Construction of 5.6 kilometres in new lanes for ramps and municipal connector roads (multi-lane);
- Construction of three new overpass structures: Highway 91 Connector going over Highway 17, as well as eastbound and westbound lanes of Highway 17 going over the BNSF Railway track.
Highway 17 at 80th Street (Tilbury) Intersection Upgrade – Total estimated cost: $4,686,227
- Replace a right turn with a westbound highway on-ramp.
Deltaport Way/27B Avenue Improvements – Total estimated cost: $13,379,199
- Widening and strengthening of current two-lane roadway and optimizing for heavy vehicular traffic;
- Addition of 0.8 kilometres in new acceleration and deceleration lanes; and
- Addition of increased capacity through the construction a new direct, efficient and safe route to Tsawwassen First Nation industrial lands.
Construction is slated to start 2017 and to be completed by 2021.
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