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New North Delta overpass to improve traffic flow

Motorists heading to and from the Alex Fraser Bridge should find traffic a little smoother. Last weekend, the overpass portion of the B.C.
delta overapass
The interchange at Highway 91 at 72nd Avenue is to allow for free-flow of traffic in both directions on the highway.

Motorists heading to and from the Alex Fraser Bridge should find traffic a little smoother.

Last weekend, the overpass portion of the B.C. government’s $30 million interchange project at Highway 91 and 72nd Avenue opened to vehicular traffic, removing the last remaining signalized intersection for through traffic on Highway 91. Drivers wanting to go up 72nd now have to stay in the right lane on the highway to access the overpass.

The province notes the interchange is part of an overall strategy aimed at decreasing congestion and overall travel times along the corridor and the Alex Fraser Bridge.

According to the province, traffic demand on the highway corridor and the bridge continues to grow as development in Surrey and Delta increases.

 

The strategy being developed is to reduce congestion to meet both short-term and long-term needs. The interchange project received $10 million in funding from the federal government.

Meanwhile, work continues on the Alex Fraser Bridge upgrade. That project includes, among other things, the addition a seventh lane and a new counter-flow moveable barrier system to improve capacity and help reduce traffic congestion during peak periods.

The project’s total budget is just over $70 million, with the federal government contributing nearly $34 million and the B.C. government contributing just over $36 million.

The province notes that on average more than 119,000 vehicles use the bridge daily, with road users experiencing lines more than three kilometres long during rush hour.