The commute out of Tsawwassen has been slower than usual for drivers due to ongoing highway upgrades.
Part of a series of road projects aimed at alleviating a huge amount of traffic that’s coming next year, the widening of Highway 17A between 52 and 56 streets has seen lane closures but no significant delays in existing traffic patterns.
Scheduled for completion by May 2016, the long list of projects have been undertaken to accommodate all the cars that will be heading in and out of the new Tsawwassen Mills and Tsawwassen Commons shopping centres opening next fall, as well as the new housing and future industrial development at the Tsawwassen First Nation.
The projects, done in consultation with the provincial government and Corporation of Delta, were the result of a studies done for the TFN three years ago by consultant Blunt & Associates. The projects are paid for by the First Nation and mall developer.
It's anticipated the shopping centres will generate an additional 1,000 vehicles per hour in the morning peak period, with 3,800 vehicles during the afternoon peak hours. An expected 6,500 vehicles will come during the Saturday peak period around noon. By full TFN build-out in 2031, it's expected the traffic generated will be around 3,600 vehicles in the morning peak hour, 7,100 vehicles during the afternoon peak, and 9,000 during the Saturday peak.
The projects include improvements to Highway 17A from Tsawwassen Drive to east of 56 Street, including widening to a six-lane cross section, plus auxiliary lanes at intersections, improvements to 52 Street north of the highway including widening to a four-lane cross section, as well as construction of internal roads to accommodate traffic accessing the retail and residential areas.
A spokesperson with the Ministry of Transportation noted the study took into account existing peak traffic volumes exiting the ferry terminal as well as commercial and residential traffic to determine what highway improvements or adjustments would be required. As part of this analysis, confirmed plans for forecast growth for B.C. Ferries would have been considered.
“As part of the development, the proponents will be providing additional traffic capacity by adding additional laning in each direction on Highway 17 between 28th Avenue and Tsawwassen Drive.
The additional lanes, and synchronization of traffic signals which directly benefits the corridor and ferry generated traffic, will ensure that the highway corridor can accommodate east-bound traffic from ferries, as well as other road users, without an appreciable difference in travel times,” the ministry states.
In addition to road construction, transit access was reviewed in the internal roads analysis, resulting new and alternate routes being proposed. The TFN is working with TransLink and Coast Mountain Bus to implement changes.
The TFN Economic Development Corporation is in partnership with Ivanhoe Cambridge and Property Development Group to develop almost 1.8 million square feet of shopping, entertainment and office space on 72 hectares (180 acres) just off Highway 17A at 52nd Street.
Ivanhoe Cambridge's project would comprise 1.2 million square feet as a destination retail and entertainment centre. Called Tsawwassen Mills, it would follow the model of the huge CrossIron Mills mall north of Calgary and Vaughan Mills north of Toronto. Property Development Group is planning to develop an outdoor mall comprising 550,000 square feet called Tsawwassen Commons.
Recently appointed as general manager of Tsawwassen Mills, Mark Fenwick said they appreciate motorists’ patience.
“The road work has created some concerns and some complaints but we appreciate their patience. All that will be completed next spring. We’re really committed to minimize the impact of this work where we can to make these improvements for the long-term,” he said.
