The province isn’t wasting time patching up the Hwy. 17A overpass, after the southbound lanes were damaged when a truck piled into it last summer.
Work begins next Monday, Jan. 8, for about two months, and will require nightly closures of the southbound lanes, from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., seven days a week.
During the daytime, from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., a southbound lane will remain open at a reduced width, while the northbound lanes of Hwy. 17A and the northbound ramps to Hwy. 99 will remain fully open.
However, two weekends in January, Jan. 12 to 14, and Jan. 19 to 21, will require the full closure of the southbound lanes, as well as the closure of the southbound lanes of Hwy. 99.
The hours for the above closures are from 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 12, until 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 14. The same hours are in effect for the Jan. 19 to 21 closing.
As a result, southbound vehicles must detour via Hwy. 17A, south to Ladner Trunk Road, and then rejoin Hwy. 99 at the Matthews interchange.
In addition, there will be a full closure of the southbound lanes of Hwy. 17A overpass from Friday, Jan. 26, at 5 a.m., until Sunday, Jan. 28, at 3 p.m.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure announced the schedule on Dec. 21 for the $1.7-million project after it was delayed for several weeks, after a previous start date in November, so as not to impact the Christmas season. That delay added $300,000 to the cost of the project.
“The repairs to the crossing will be extensive, involving demolition and girder installation,” the ministry said. “All travellers taking Hwy. 99 southbound are advised to take alternate routes or add additional travel time, as heavy delays and congestion are expected on the weekends.”
BC Ferries passengers from outside Delta, who’d usually use Hwy. 99 to get to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal, are advised to use Hwy. 91 over the Alex Fraser Bridge, then take Hwy. 17 that runs directly to the terminal.
The overpass was damaged when a big truck, southbound on Hwy. 99, smashed into the underside of the overpass on July 18. Two of the five girders of the overpass, built in 1959, need significant repairs.
