A pair of new interchanges will be opening in Delta this summer, aimed at helping traffic move more efficiently.
That’s according to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure regarding the Highway 91/17 Upgrade Project, a series of roadworks that is on track for ‘substantial completion’ by this fall.
The project involves a combination of safety and capacity improvements to Highway 91, Highway 17 and the Highway 91 Connector.
Last fall saw a big project milestone in the opening of the Highway 17 River Road Overpass, creating a more direct connection between Highway 17 and River Road.
Now two new interchanges are to provide more time savings and better safety for local and commercial vehicle traffic south of the Fraser River.
The first to open will be the interchange at Highway 91C and Nordel Way in early July.
In addition to improving the movement of goods, local benefits of the interchange include, among other things, better connectivity through Delta with a combination of new direct-access roads and additional turning lanes.
Drivers will also have free-flow traffic in both directions along Highway 91C and the connection to Nordel Way with the removal of a traffic signal.
The interchange at Highway 17 and Highway 91 Connector (Sunbury) is also expected to open this summer.
The province notes that key benefits of that interchange include better connections between the Highway 91 Connector and Highway 17, eliminating the need for an at-grade rail crossing to access the highway, as well as improved safety and travel time reliability with the removal of the existing intersection.
Traffic delays are expected as the work nears completion and various lane closures will be in effect.
To help eliminate conflicts between commercial vehicles and regular traffic, the highway upgrade project is part of the $260-million Highway 91/17 and Deltaport Way Upgrade Project by the province.
Funding partners include the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.
The $5.2 million 27B Avenue upgrades component of the project is already complete, funded by the Tsawwassen First Nation.
