In the past few weeks I have noticed some progress on the South Fraser Perimeter Road where it intersects Highway 17, but not much where it intersects Highway 99. I still can't figure out the rationale for this road.
I recollect that it was supposed to be finished in 2011 or 2012. The project website, which is sparse, states it will be finished by the end of 2013. I called the project information line and got the following response: "There is no project schedule. The road will actually be finished when it is completed."
It's obviously a government project.
When I drive on Highway 99 east of Highway 17 during rush hours it is evident the SFPR is having a severe impact on the capacity and flow of traffic from South Surrey. Traffic is often backed up almost to the George Massey Tunnel in the afternoon rush and to Highway 91 in the mornings, with the throttle occurring at the SFPR intersection.
Fortunately one can still cut out to South Delta and avoid these backups, but there will a severe impact once the eastbound backups on Highway 99 extend past the exits onto Highway 17.
I predict that an even worse mess will occur at the Highway 17/SFPR intersection just north of 28th Avenue. The alignment has two lanes of northbound on Highway 17 turning east onto the SFPR, while there is only a single-lane overpass on the right to continue going north on Highway 17.
According to the project website, the rationale for this is: "SFPR will be the route of choice for the majority of non-local, ferry and commuter traffic. As a result, traffic through Ladner will be significantly reduced."
While I may be wrong, I predict most traffic will continue to prefer to go to Vancouver and Richmond, rather than to north Surrey. The result will be horrendous backups and accidents on this single lane.
Further the lane will be exposed to high winds and freezing in winter to an extent even worse than that on the existing Highway 17 railway overpass. In summary, my hunch is the SFPR will make your commute to Vancouver a lot worse.
Another consequence of the SFPR may be crime. Currently South Delta is relatively isolated and relatively safe. However, I recall reading a few months ago the SFPR will allow trucks to get from the Deltaport to Whalley in only 20 minutes. Conversely, the road will also allow traffic from Whalley to get to Tsawwassen in 20 minutes. Lock your doors.
It may turn out the SFPR, when finished, greatly enhances our daily lives, but I doubt it. The federal government appears to have spent our slice of the Action Plan d'Action to pave over and cut up farmland, potentially exacerbate our commutes and make Highway 17 more dangerous.
I think the money would have been far better spent upgrading Highway 17 and on a new bridge or tunnel.
