Closure of busy Fraser Highway area extended until the end of the year
A closure for a part of the Fraser Highway in Surrey that was only supposed to be closed till Halloween has been extended.
What was initially planned as a seven-month closure for the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension will now last through the end of the year, at least.
A full closure of the Fraser Highway between 140th Street and 96th Avenue has now been extended to mid-December, according to an updated closure notice from the Province. The closure has been in place since April 1.
This is part of a 16-km-long extension of the existing Expo Line along Fraser Highway between King George Station in Surrey City Centre and the new Langley City Centre Station at 203rd Street.
The reason for the closure extension is “to continue to safely advance construction and reduce multiple future traffic pattern changes in this area,” the updated notice states, adding, “Activities include construction of new utilities to supply power for the future SkyTrain, roadwork, foundation construction, and guideway and station construction. The extension does not impact the overall project schedule.”
The municipal government previously noted that the segment of Fraser Highway within Green Timbers sees about 28,000 vehicles per day. During the closure, vehicle traffic will be directed to detours.
Government of BC
While mid-December is the expected completion date, the Government of B.C. notes that the timelines are subject to change.
On top of the full closure between 140th Street and 96th Avenue, there will also be some partial closures in other areas.
Overnight closures between 96th Avenue and 148th Street will take place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as required.
“These intermittent overnight closures take place between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. as required. Vehicles travelling on Fraser Highway will be directed to 96th Avenue via 148th Street,” the Government of B.C. notes.
The 2021-completed widening of the eastern span of Fraser Highway within Green Timbers Urban Forest to a four-lane standard with a median, accommodating the future Surrey-Langley SkyTrain project. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)
The traffic advisory also says that there could be increased noise in the area while work is taking place, and the closure also impacts pedestrian sidewalks in the area.
When operational, a one-train ride between Langley City Centre Station and Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver will be 65 minutes. In comparison, the trip between Langley City Centre Station and King George Station will be 22 minutes.
SkyTrain Millennium Line’s Broadway extension reaching Arbutus Street is scheduled to open a year earlier in Fall 2027.
With files from Kenneth Chan
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