Port Mann/Highway 1 Improvements | Completed

[Metro-One]

If people actually look at the alignment the new Brunette Bridge structure will expand all the way east to where the #1 east bound of ramp to Brunette east/north bound meet. Not only will 8 lanes of through traffic be placed under the Brunette overpass, but also the #1 west bound off ramp to Brunette.

[Stingray2004]

^Years back, I looked at the old BC Dept. of Hwys annual reports from the early 1960's at the UBC Main Library and the design of Hwy 1 thru Burnaby was for an eventual upgrade to an 8-lane cross-section and the clearance between the underpass piers certainly allows for that.

Take away the dual exit lanes underneath the Brunette underpass and yes an 8-lane cross-section can also be incorporated. That was my original impression of the work proposed.

Many/most of the new Hwy 1 overpasses will be constructed alongside the existing structures with new road access alignments, which will not impede existing traffic flow.

A few apparently will be re-constructed along the same footprint, ie. Brunette, Sprott, and Willingdon. Sprott will be the first test subject of how the new overpass will be constructed along the same footprint and it's somehow difficult to visualize how that will transpire.

BTW, in the above photo one can also see the second 6-lane Brunette overpass of the rail tracks, south of Hwy 1 built circa the late 1970's.

If one looks more closely (to the right or east), one can also see the 4-lane alignment of the original overpass constructed circa 1964, the same time as Hwy 1 was built. I somehow suspect that the "former overpass" lines are as a result of a legal plan superimposed upon the drawing.

[cabotp]

Originally Posted by tGill

ugh a wayburne overpass i pray that never happens (i live on dominion between wayburne and douglas)

i can support a douglas on/off ramp for commercial traffic though, douglas is already a pretty busy and is needed for the industrial area north of the trans-canada. However is it going to needed in 10 years? it seems like every year i look north from my house over to that area and newcondos seem to be popping up. ( i have no idea what the city has planned)

wayburne north of canada way should be kept as is minimal traffic.

I do agree that the wayburne overpass is not needed.

But I do believe the douglas truck only ramps would be a very welcome addition. One problem with the the industrial area around Norland, Douglas, Still Creek and Gore. Is that any truck comeing along Hwy 1 WB. Has to take to Kensington Off ramp make a left at sprott and then a right onto Norland.

If you put the ramps on douglas truck traffic would not need to go to the sprott - kensington intersection. Which I feel can not handle that traffic.

As for what it will be like in 10 years I can't say for sure. But I work on norland at a truck shop. And there still are a few very prominent companies in the area.

Originally Posted by Stingray2004

A few apparently will be re-constructed along the same footprint, ie. Brunette, Sprott, and Willingdon. Sprott will be the first test subject of how the new overpass will be constructed along the same footprint and it's somehow difficult to visualize how that will transpire.

While I don't know the exact plans.

Sprott in the past it had 3 lanes on the bridge 1 going WB and 2 going EB. The curb lane has been shut down going EB. I do see that they have taken out the entire guard rail on that side. I think what might be doing is installing new supports under that lane and removing the old ones. Then they will shift the traffic onto that lane, closing the center lane. At which point they will build the new supports and remove the old ones. And then move the North lane into the center and repeat.

This is only speculation mind you and I'm only taking a wild guess.

[Mininari]

Commencing 2300km drive from Winnipeg to Vancouver today:
I'm looking forward to seeing the progress on various projects along the TCH along the way, but definitely looking forward THE MOST to seeing the progress on the PMH1 project.

Heres a question:
The new configuration of the bridge is a 2-3-3-2 C/D system.
Will there be climbing lanes for BOTH sections of the C/D system heading eastbound on Johnson Hill in Surrey? It seems to me that this could become a bit of a convergent bottleneck if trucks are in both parts of the C/D system, and struggling with the hill a bit.

[GeeCee]

I can't wait for the new Sprott/Kensington interchanges.. the existing Kensington interchange is pretty terrible.

[The_Henry_Man]

Originally Posted by Mininari

Commencing 2300km drive from Winnipeg to Vancouver today:
I'm looking forward to seeing the progress on various projects along the TCH along the way, but definitely looking forward THE MOST to seeing the progress on the PMH1 project.

Heres a question:
The new configuration of the bridge is a 2-3-3-2 C/D system.
Will there be climbing lanes for BOTH sections of the C/D system heading eastbound on Johnson Hill in Surrey? It seems to me that this could become a bit of a convergent bottleneck if trucks are in both parts of the C/D system, and struggling with the hill a bit.

OMG, you're making me salivating like crazy!!! I can't wait until next Summer when I will bring my car from Van to St. Cloud, Minnesota for my 2nd year of my Masters. I'm thinking of coming back to Van for a visit by plane, and then drive my car back via Hwy 1 to Winnipeg and then down SE via I-29 through North Dakota and I-94. We're very spoiled by public transit here in Van. While I'm right now in St. Cloud, it takes 2-3hrs round trip by bus to get groceries while it's usually 10min drive each way by car.

Please let me know of any good tourist places along the way (I know there's the Cypress Hills Park), esp between Alberta and Manitoba. And I guess your trip will take around 2-3 days with stops?

[cornholio]

Originally Posted by Mininari

Commencing 2300km drive from Winnipeg to Vancouver today:
I'm looking forward to seeing the progress on various projects along the TCH along the way, but definitely looking forward THE MOST to seeing the progress on the PMH1 project.

Heres a question:
The new configuration of the bridge is a 2-3-3-2 C/D system.
Will there be climbing lanes for BOTH sections of the C/D system heading eastbound on Johnson Hill in Surrey? It seems to me that this could become a bit of a convergent bottleneck if trucks are in both parts of the C/D system, and struggling with the hill a bit.

Dont quote me on this but i beleive the new bridge deck will be higher on the Surrey side reducing the grade significantly.

Good luck on your trip by the way.

[SpongeG]

wow so many things happenning on it - every week its more

[Mininari]

Originally Posted by cornholio

Dont quote me on this but i beleive the new bridge deck will be higher on the Surrey side reducing the grade significantly.

Good luck on your trip by the way.

Thanks!
Made it in, btw!
Good to drive over the new PRB too!

I couldn't help notice all the "moving Bc foward" infrastructure signs along our drive. Of particular note was TCH 4-laning from Kamloops to the Alberta border. I saw 4 or 5 of these along the way... however, this is obviously NOT a single project, but a program initiative (with limited funding), and they are merely putting the signs up to show "action" and imply more project are coming soon.

And that is obviously topic for another thread!

[Stingray2004]

Originally Posted by Mininari

Of particular note was TCH 4-laning from Kamloops to the Alberta border. I saw 4 or 5 of these along the way...

Out of curiousity, have they started clearing and grubbing for any of these Hwy 1 twinning projects?

1. Pritchard (east of Monte Creek) to Hoffman's Bluff (6.1 km/$62 million);

2. Donald Bridges/Columbia River (4 km/$63 million);

And how is the Kicking Horse Canyon project coming along?

[Mininari]

Originally Posted by Stingray2004

Out of curiousity, have they started clearing and grubbing for any of these Hwy 1 twinning projects?

1. Pritchard (east of Monte Creek) to Hoffman's Bluff (6.1 km/$62 million);

2. Donald Bridges/Columbia River (4 km/$63 million);

And how is the Kicking Horse Canyon project coming along?

I can answer these questions as I was just along the entire route yesterday:

1) Nothing seems to be happening yet for the 4-laning from Pritchard to Monte Creek. (I remember there being a separate announcement for work on Hoffman's bluff... nothing there either). Must be a spring 2010 start.

2) Donald bridge has a sign... thats it... the old bridge definitely looks to need replacement! Must also be a spring 2010 start.

3) Kicking Horse Canyon phase 3 is well underway... there was significant grading work going on east of the new bridge, and on the hill down into Golden. There were plenty of "Canada's Economic Plan" federal government signs along that one... at least theres one shovel in the ground!

On this topic:
http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/highwayprojects/Hwy1/index.htm
There is a Trans-Canada Highway Twinning Thread in the CANADA section of this forum (which I started about a year ago)...


Addition Oct 6:
So, I went for a nighttime drive along the entire PMH1 Project corridor last night... WOW...
There must have been over 100 dump trucks (not exaggerating) lined up along various locations on the Surrey / Langley portion of the highway -- seems they are hauling LOTS of fill to fill the median. Also noticed the bridge-footings work at the Cape Horn offramp, and the extensive retaining wall work. This whole shindig is really in full force... and its going to be going on for a few years.

[Stingray2004]

From an internal City of Burnaby document dated March 23, 2009 regarding the PMB/Hwy 1 improvments.

The Burnaby Transportation Plan calls for a new highway crossing at Wayburne Drive, and an upgraded crossing at Gaglardi Way to accommodate the proposed Stormont-McBride Connector. The Province will not build these structures, but will ensure that PMH1 accommodates the future need for such construction.

http://www.city.burnaby.bc.ca/__shared/assets/Transportation_-_Gateway_-_2009_March5185.pdf

It looks like the City of Burnaby will be on their own regarding any future Wayburne Drive overpass akin to some other overpasses currently being constructed in the Fraser Valley. (the new Chilliwack and Abbotsford overpasses/interchanges under construction/to be contructed come to mind).

But what caught my eye was the future Stormont-McBride Connector to link up with a new Pattullo Bridge. I was always under the impression that Burnaby opposed the long proposed Stormont Connector. At least the City of Burnaby now appears on side. Hopefully New West will also eventually be won over as that connector has been on the books snce the 1960's.

[officedweller]

BTW - anyone else wonder why they just don't make the Gaglardi interchange a full interchange and link it up with Cariboo Road
(and just demolish and not replace the Cariboo Road overpass (i.e. make dead end streets))?

[Millennium2002]

environmental impact... specifically the bulldozing of trees near that area. there are streams running nearby too so =O

A Stormont-Mcbride Connector... hmm... they must be planning to tunnel into those hills there... although that would be pretty expensive =O

[BCPhil]

Originally Posted by officedweller

BTW - anyone else wonder why they just don't make the Gaglardi interchange a full interchange and link it up with Cariboo Road
(and just demolish and not replace the Cariboo Road overpass (i.e. make dead end streets))?

Yeah, it would be nice if those to overpasses could be combined into one.

But I guess you still need the Cariboo overpass if you are going to have the Stormont Connector, otherwise the overpass would be VERY busy.

And it makes sense for Burnaby to finally want the Stormont Connector. It would get a lot of cars off roads like Kingsway, Canada Way, and North and onto TCH which could then take the Stormont Connector and avoid most of Burnaby. Getting cars off Burnaby streets and into New West (someone else's problem) is the NIMBYest thing to do, I'm surprised it wasn't done years ago.

But the Stormont Connector sounds like it will be a future Translink project, part of the new PB when they get around to it. So it makes sense for the MoT to not build it now but keep the possibility alive. Who knows, if/when the Stormont Connector project goes forward there might be a change of heart at the MoT and they'll pay to have it built. Time will tell.

[Mininari]

Originally Posted by BCPhil

Yeah, it would be nice if those to overpasses could be combined into one.

But I guess you still need the Cariboo overpass if you are going to have the Stormont Connector, otherwise the overpass would be VERY busy.

And it makes sense for Burnaby to finally want the Stormont Connector. It would get a lot of cars off roads like Kingsway, Canada Way, and North and onto TCH which could then take the Stormont Connector and avoid most of Burnaby. Getting cars off Burnaby streets and into New West (someone else's problem) is the NIMBYest thing to do, I'm surprised it wasn't done years ago.

But the Stormont Connector sounds like it will be a future Translink project, part of the new PB when they get around to it. So it makes sense for the MoT to not build it now but keep the possibility alive. Who knows, if/when the Stormont Connector project goes forward there might be a change of heart at the MoT and they'll pay to have it built. Time will tell.

Or maybe we will have gone complete-cycle on the economy again, be in a recession, and get it funded with some stimulus money. Do multi-decal envisioned projects count as shovel-ready?

[Vancouver_Highrise]

I know this is probably written somewhere but I was wondering if these were all the final designs of the interchanges excluding the port mann pdf.

http://www.gatewayprogram.bc.ca/

The lougheed/united blvd/hwy1 interchange looks pretty amazing
if thats the design used

[red-paladin]

I wrote a letter to Kevin Falcon 6 months ago, and he told me that "no party" was pushing for the Stormont Connector and it may be a long time before it gets built.

[GeeCee]

That site is pretty outdated..

http://pmh1project.com/inforoom/default.aspx is probably your best bet. It has the same PDFs for now, but it says that final design documents will be posted this fall.

[Mininari]

Originally Posted by red-paladin

I wrote a letter to Kevin Falcon 6 months ago, and he told me that "no party" was pushing for the Stormont Connector and it may be a long time before it gets built.

Well, if we use the ever-delayed timeline schedule provided for the Golden Ears Bridge as a precident, the 2017 in-service date for the new Patullo will end up being 2021 at least... thats another four years for them to bicker over rights-of-way, bridge routing, traffic management, etc... and plenty of time for new sums of money to come up for an other-wise needed bypass of New Westminster. (and lets not forget that Translink is perpetually broke).

But honestly, would it not be cheaper and less risky for them to just buy up the homes along both sides of Newcombe street than boring a tunnel? The unused land on both sides could be densified into 4-storey mixed-use condos with street-level retail, and could help pay the bills for the project. No Ground-level major road is needed... maybe just a 2-lane (plus parking) road to service the new "village." The Stormont-McBride connector would be a cut-and-cover tunnel the whole way. Or maybe its cheaper to just grade-seperate McBride up to the cut-and-cover section at Newcombe?

Just some infrastructure conjecture...