Highway 1 entrance and exit closures to impact Metro Vancouver drivers for several weeks
Major construction to widen Highway 1 through the Fraser Valley is causing further traffic pattern changes, and Metro Vancouver drivers are being warned to expect delays.
The Government of B.C. announced that overnight traffic-pattern changes are planned for Highway 1 at Highway 11 as part of the widening and upgrade of the highway through the Lower Mainland.
This includes the off-ramp from Highway 1 eastbound to Highway 11 being closed for several dates in the last week of July, and the westbound Highway 11 on-ramp to Highway 1 closing nightly for a week in early August.
B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit/Flickr
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“These traffic-pattern changes are necessary to allow crews to prepare for demolition activities as part of the Highway 11 Interchange Project,” said the Government of B.C. in a release.
“The work is a key component of the Fraser Valley Highway 1 Corridor Improvement Program.”
Commuters should expect the eastbound Highway 1 off-ramp to Highway 11 to be closed each night from Monday, July 27 until Thursday, July 30, from 9 p.m. until 5:30 a.m.
A detour will be provided, and drivers needing to use the on-ramp to Highway 1 can continue to do so.
B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit/Flickr
Early next month, the westbound Highway 11 on-ramp to Highway 1 will close from Tuesday, Aug. 4 until Tuesday, Aug. 11, from 8:30 p.m. until 4:30 a.m.
On Friday and Saturday, the on-ramp will shut down from 9 p.m. until 7 a.m. A detour will be provided, and the off-ramp to Highway 11 will remain operational.
Highway 11 under Highway 1 will also be reduced to one lane each way nightly from Aug. 4 to 11, from 9 p.m. until 5:30 a.m.
On Fridays and Saturdays, Highway 11 will be reduced to one lane in each direction from 9 p.m. until 7 a.m.
According to the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, the exact timing of the exit and entrance closures is subject to change as the work is weather-dependent.
Construction and traffic updates will be posted online via DriveBC. The speed limit on Highway 11 will also be dropped to 50 km an hour.
“Drivers should expect additional lane closures and other traffic-pattern changes in the area as work progresses,” added the Ministry.
“Drivers are reminded to slow down and use caution, allow extra travel time, obey signs and traffic-control personnel, and watch for roadside workers.”
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
The latest construction work is part of the Fraser Valley Highway 1 Corridor Improvement Program.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure said online that the project will improve safety, reliability and capacity between 216th Street in Langley through to Chilliwack.
A wider highway will also enable the Government of B.C. to add improvements like HOV/EV lanes both east and westbound, bus-on-shoulder lanes in each direction, truck climbing lanes, and a truck staging area.
With files from Kenneth Chan