It’s been a construction zone for a while but the end is finally in sight for the 53 Street roadway improvement project.
Council this week awarded a $1.7 million contract for upgrades for the busy street between 28to 34B avenues in Ladner, the final phase of improvements engineering director Steven Lan says will make it a much safer overall roadway.
Since the fall of 2018, Metro Vancouver has been working in and around the intersection of 53 Street and 28 Avenue upgrading it watermain.
In addition to the Metro watermain upgrades, the municipal watermain and storm sewers have also been upgraded.
Lan’s report notes the upcoming city work includes a traffic signal with LED lighting at the intersection, dedicated north, east and westbound turn lanes, bus stop improvements and re-paving of the roadway from 28 to 34B avenues.
The works also include the installation of a large diameter culvert crossing 53 Street just south of the Deltaport Way overpass.
A temporary full road closure for a consecutive 72 hour period will be required for 53 Street.
In an effort to minimize disturbances to the farming community during harvest season, the road closure is to take effect sometime between Aug. 3 to 14.
That work is to continue through the evening and overnight hours in an effort to reopen the roadway as soon as possible.
The majority of the remaining works will be carried out during the nighttime hours.
“Staff will ensure commuters, nearby residents, businesses and the farming community have as much information and early notification as possible through the use of changeable message boards, radio and social media prior to the proposed works. The contractor will be responsible for preparing the Traffic Management Plan for Delta's review and approval,” the report notes.
The project is to be completed by late fall.
Delta, meanwhile, is in the planning stages of major improvements on 56th Street between Highway 17 and 28 Avenue.
