Tsawwassen’s traffic nightmare is being put on hold.
Delta council agreed with a staff recommendation Monday to delay Metro Vancouver’s water main replacement project. Delta is imposing its authority not to issue a highways use permit until a better traffic management plan is devised.
The first couple of phases of the large-scale project involved ripping up 52nd Street north of Highway 17, but crews were slated to move south of the highway this week, cutting off one of two access points to Tsawwassen.
During May and June, work was to take place along 52nd Street from Springs Boulevard to Highway 17. Then, from June to August, 52nd Street would be under a construction zone from Springs Boulevard all the way to 12th Avenue.
The street was to be closed from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. but from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m., northbound traffic would have been permitted.
The problem with Metro’s plan was that residents and businesses of Imperial Village and Tsawwassen Springs would have been in a difficult situation getting in and out of their neighbourhoods. What’s more, the Delta police and fire departments and the provincial ambulance service all expressed concerns about the lack of direct access.
Delta officials met with their Metro counterparts last Friday to state Delta wouldn’t be issuing permits unless the intersection of Highway 17 and 52nd Street remains open.
“We may have to do some detour routes through Imperial Village but they will be fully monitored by our staff and by the police. We want this to be as least disruptive to the community as possible,” said Delta CAO George Harvie. “It’s amazing that Metro staff didn’t realize the two areas we had to enter and exit Tsawwassen, 52nd and 56th (streets).”
Harvie noted the ability to issue the necessary permits will ensure Delta has control over the Metro project.
Engineering director Steven Lan noted Metro Vancouver and its contractor are now working on providing single-lane alternating access along 52nd Street between Imperial Gate and Highway 17. Delta also wants to temporarily use the B.C. Hydro laneway at the north end of Imperial Village to ensure emergency responders have direct access to Imperial Village and Tsawwassen Springs.
The work could begin within a couple of weeks after a new plan is devised and residents notified.
