Port Mann/Highway 1 Improvements | Completed

[urbanizer405]

Many infrastructure projects utilize the design-build method nowadays, but this project seems to be using the build-design method

[Millennium2002]

From the looks of it I have to agree... xD But as we all know they're probably just keeping the diagrams away from the prying eyes of the public even though we technically have a right to be informed. ^^;

[xd_1771]

Originally Posted by allan_kuan

From the looks of it I have to agree... xD But as we all know they're probably just keeping the diagrams away from the prying eyes of the public even though we technically have a right to be informed. ^^;

Think of it this way:
-Release diagrams, disappoint and make people want to overthrow the project now while it's under construction
-Disappoint after everything's complete, then WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING!
Unfortunately the fact that the BC MOT is "smart" is to our disadvantage here

[go_leafs_go02]

So I finally figured out what's happening right now at 202 Avenue on HWY 1.

Ever since that 80 km/h speed limit came on, that location has been humming with construction activity.

It looks as if they are temporarily shifting the WB lanes into the median to snug up to the EB lanes in order to construct a new overpass for 202 Street. There should be a traffic pattern shift there within several weeks I'm assuming.

Guessing that after that WB bridge is built (with likely room for 4 lanes) both EB & WB lanes will be shifted over onto the bridge (2+2) and the EB overpass will be constructed.

Definitely no posted plans online for this though. Was this added recently as part of a stimulus package?

[Stingray2004]

That's the new 1,000 stall park and ride being constructed on the south side of Hwy 1 with a concurrent 202nd St. extension under Hwy 1. Rapid buses will also be able to access the HOV lanes from the park and ride from the 202nd St. extension. Comes with a big price tag - ~$55 million.

It was discussed last November in the following posts:

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=170582&page=25

[go_leafs_go02]

http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2010TRAN0054-000960.htm

21 NEW PROJECTS TO CREATE HUNDREDS OF NEW JOBS IN B.C.



WEST VANCOUVER – Twenty-one additional infrastructure projects will get underway in B.C. this construction season thanks to over $42 million in funding from Canada and the Province, announced Stockwell Day, President of the Treasury Board and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway on behalf of Canada’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Chuck Strahl, and B.C. Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations Naomi Yamamoto.

Biggest things to note:

Highway 1 Abbotsford: 264th Avenue to Vedder Canal - asphalt resurfacing
Federal funding: $900,000
Provincial funding: $1.1 million
Total funding: $2 million

Highway 1 Chilliwack: Lickman Road to Young Road - median cable barrier
Federal funding: $450,000
Provincial funding: $550,000
Total funding: $1 million

Highway 1 West Vancouver: Eagle Ridge underpass - deck resurfacing
Federal funding: $157,500
Provincial funding: $192,500
Total funding: $350,000

Highway 1 West Vancouver: Horseshoe Bay underpass - deck resurfacing
Federal funding: $450,000
Provincial funding: $550,000
Total funding: $1 million

Highway 1 West Vancouver: Squamish underpass - deck resurfacing
Federal funding: $275,000
Provincial funding: $335,000
Total funding: $610,000

Highway 7 Mission: Chester Road to Nelson Road - asphalt resurfacing
Federal funding: $225,000
Provincial funding: $275,000
Total funding: $500,000

Highway 99 Delta/Surrey: Highway 17 underpass to Nikomekl River - resurfacing
Federal funding: $1.35 million
Provincial funding: $1.65 million
Total funding: $3 million

Honestly - a few of them raise my eyebrows. like resurfacing Highway 1 from 264 Street to Vedder Canal. That highway is fine as is. It needs money towards widening and upgrading the interchanges, not some asphalt that is in perfectly good condition already. And the fact they're paving it over tells me they have no plans to widen it past the Gateway parameters.

Really - who decides these projects? I'm assuming the province does. There are alot better places to invest your money. The King George Highway bridge over the Nicomekl River is a perfect example. Re-surface/widen that bridge.

That fact is, asphalt in BC in the Lower Mainland lasts forever it seems. It doesn't need rehab in alot of cases.

[Mininari]

I fully agree with you... except asphalt resurfacing is a relative no-brainer job that requires no design work, nor delays for environmental assessment, council objections, community problems, etc.

The real reason for this is the hard deadline of March 31 2011 for all stimulus money to be spent. Now they're just squeezing out anything they can, whether its need or not. Our own (maple?) version of pork.

[hollywoodnorth]

Originally Posted by Stingray2004

That's the new 1,000 stall park and ride being constructed on the south side of Hwy 1 with a concurrent 202nd St. extension under Hwy 1. Rapid buses will also be able to access the HOV lanes from the park and ride from the 202nd St. extension. Comes with a big price tag - ~$55 million.

It was discussed last November in the following posts:

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=170582&page=25

have any renderings and site plans been released for the Park and Ride? I have not seen anything.......

[twoNeurons]

Originally Posted by Mininari

whether its need or not. Our own (maple?) version of pork.

Maple-flavored pork n' beans.

[xd_1771]

If the 264th - Vedder Canal resurfacing includes improvements such as the much needed longer merge lanes, then I'm all for it

[DKaz]

Originally Posted by go_leafs_go02

Highway 7 Mission: Chester Road to Nelson Road - asphalt resurfacing
Federal funding: $225,000
Provincial funding: $275,000
Total funding: $500,000

FINALLY! The current road condition is horrible, the asphalt is cracked all over and uneven

[go_leafs_go02]

Originally Posted by xd_1771

If the 264th - Vedder Canal resurfacing includes improvements such as the much needed longer merge lanes, then I'm all for it

Nah,

They'll probably pave just the lanes, leaving the shoulders as is. I think some shoulders out in Sumas Flats are from the 1960s-1970s, since you can still see the old lines for the centre offramps and stuff.

Pretty sure they won't bother with any new construction.

[Stingray2004]

Highway 1 Abbotsford: 264th Avenue to Vedder Canal - asphalt resurfacing
Federal funding: $900,000
Provincial funding: $1.1 million
Total funding: $2 million

IIRC, some of that has been paved over the last few years. Most of the pavement is still in excellent shape IMHO. Nevertheless, 264th to Vedder is a considerable distance. $2 million? How much does a lane km of milling and pavement cost? Likely only spot/sectional paving can be done for that amount.

Highway 99 Delta/Surrey: Highway 17 underpass to Nikomekl River - resurfacing
Federal funding: $1.35 million
Provincial funding: $1.65 million
Total funding: $3 million

Again, that pavement is in excellent shape and a portion has been paved over the past few years. The pavement is well maintained with annual crack-sealing.

They should place those funds into extending the de-acceleration lane 1/3 way down the hill from the relatively new 32nd Ave interchange. It can get dangerous in the late afternoon with exiting traffic moving over to the shoulder of Hwy 99, down the hill, due to traffic volumes.

The worst pavement IMHO is Hwy 7 between the Pitt River Bridge and the Golden Ears Way. Fully cracked with no crack sealing. That's where they should be focusing these dollars.

[go_leafs_go02]

Originally Posted by Stingray2004

IIRC, some of that has been paved over the last few years. Most of the pavement is still in excellent shape IMHO. Nevertheless, 264th to Vedder is a considerable distance. $2 million? How much does a lane km of milling and pavement cost? Likely only spot/sectional paving can be done for that amount.



Again, that pavement is in excellent shape and a portion has been paved over the past few years. The pavement is well maintained with annual crack-sealing.

They should place those funds into extending the de-acceleration lane 1/3 way down the hill from the relatively new 32nd Ave interchange. It can get dangerous in the late afternoon with exiting traffic moving over to the shoulder of Hwy 99, down the hill, due to traffic volumes.

The worst pavement IMHO is Hwy 7 between the Pitt River Bridge and the Golden Ears Way. Fully cracked with no crack sealing. That's where they should be focusing these dollars.

Honestly feels like the MOT was given 30 minutes to decide where to pave.

Outside of what you mentioned with Highway 7, I think focusing on resurfacing in the mountains would be better. Definitely some rough highways once you get past Hope in spots.

[xd_1771]

Originally Posted by Stingray2004

They should place those funds into extending the de-acceleration lane 1/3 way down the hill from the relatively new 32nd Ave interchange. It can get dangerous in the late afternoon with exiting traffic moving over to the shoulder of Hwy 99, down the hill, due to traffic volumes.

The worst pavement IMHO is Hwy 7 between the Pitt River Bridge and the Golden Ears Way. Fully cracked with no crack sealing. That's where they should be focusing these dollars.

Try the No. 6 Rd. entrance onto Eastbound 91, that's actually pretty short as well. But hey, dual left turns merging into one shouldn't have a short merge entering a freeway. That deceleration lane (wait: what deceleration lane? ) should indeed be lengthened. The 99-King George Hwy could use it as well; the layout as a Parclo A4 works out pretty well, but the merges do not.

Also, try the traffic on Route 7 between those areas, I've heard it can be horrendous with all the lights. It's really time for an interchange at Dewdney Trunk Road.

[Stingray2004]

Originally Posted by xd_1771

Also, try the traffic on Route 7 between those areas, I've heard it can be horrendous with all the lights. It's really time for an interchange at Dewdney Trunk Road.

I was actually out at Golden Ears yesterday and the WB traffic heading to the PRB was a parking lot from about Harris Road - all 3 lanes. Coudn't believe it - even with the GEB/GEW. And that was just due to the Old Dewdney Trunk Road intersection at the PRB bridgehead. BTW, the original plans for the new PRB also included an interchange at that signalized intersection. They should have gone for it.

Also noticed that the pavement is finally in good shape along Hwy 7 with previous paving undertaken as well as crack-sealing.

[trofirhen]

Originally Posted by Zegby

Seems like BC and the lower mainland specifically is opposed to interchanges and flyover exit/entrance ramps. They'd much rather make it an intersection with lights or yield signs. Its horrible. I keep hearing that the lower mainland made these decisions a long time ago, to stray away from the norm and not go hog wild with freeways. Thats fine. But why are the freeways we DO have built to such poor specifications?

Interesting. That's a question I've asked myself many times. And I've been away from Vancouver for 13 years. Obviously their policies haven't changed. Too bad.

[TransitJack]

Originally Posted by Zegby

Seems like BC and the lower mainland specifically is opposed to interchanges and flyover exit/entrance ramps. They'd much rather make it an intersection with lights or yield signs. Its horrible. I keep hearing that the lower mainland made these decisions a long time ago, to stray away from the norm and not go hog wild with freeways. Thats fine. But why are the freeways we DO have built to such poor specifications?

It is definitely frustrating when a large project gets built only to have signalized intersections leading up to a new bridge.

GEB, mainly on the south side is annoying, coupled with the slow speed limits.

Pitt River Bridge, was done 1/2 right, but having a fly over on the west side....why they couldn't find the money for one at Kennedy Road is ludicrous.

Having used to live in Maple Ridge, over time they added so many lights along Lougheed it's crazy. Especially through Pitt Meadows section that it takes so long to move through that stretch now.

I think of the Alex Fraser Bridge that initially after construction had a signal immediately on the North side, and it was only a few years ago that they finally eliminated the signal between AFB and the Queensbourough. Both at great cost and construction delays.

[cabotp]

Originally Posted by Zegby

Seems like BC and the lower mainland specifically is opposed to interchanges and flyover exit/entrance ramps. They'd much rather make it an intersection with lights or yield signs. Its horrible. I keep hearing that the lower mainland made these decisions a long time ago, to stray away from the norm and not go hog wild with freeways. Thats fine. But why are the freeways we DO have built to such poor specifications?

I wonder if part of the reason for not building interchanges and flyovers is that they takeup more room, than simple straight ramp to a traffic light. And land being more expensive here than the average price in North America. It was cheaper to build it that way.

Another reason I think has to do with the perception of how fast people feel they are going. Ever notice that if you've been driving on the freeway for quite a long time. That when you do come up to your exit and it is a simply swooping off ramp. That because you've gotten so used to driving at 100KM/H or faster. That 50-60 KM/H feels so damn slow that you have the tendcy to increase your speed. So they probably decided to use the traffic light system. So people would come off the freeway and be forced to stop getting them mentally adjusted to the idea that things are going to move slower now.

[xd_1771]

Originally Posted by TransitJack

It is definitely frustrating when a large project gets built only to have signalized intersections leading up to a new bridge.

GEB, mainly on the south side is annoying, coupled with the slow speed limits.

Pitt River Bridge, was done 1/2 right, but having a fly over on the west side....why they couldn't find the money for one at Kennedy Road is ludicrous.

Having used to live in Maple Ridge, over time they added so many lights along Lougheed it's crazy. Especially through Pitt Meadows section that it takes so long to move through that stretch now.

I think it's all related to really bad signal timing.
Just a few days ago I didn't see a single proper green light coming all the way from Guildford to Coquitlam until I crossed the Patullo bridge. It was horrible: lights extending their red phases for simply no reason, turning yellow with our car being hopelessly first in line, seemingly purposely stopping huge traffic waves, initiating left turn signals when they really aren't needed, pedestrian lights coming on when there are no pedestrians - at the expense of waiting cars who have to wait longer for the stupid pedestrian phase to cease... IMO those millions from the feds really need to be spent improving the traffic lights around here, because aside from the freeways all these lights are so damn terrible - they make me sick.

I've seen a picture of the light north of the Alex Fraser on the website; the ramps from 91 east to 91A north and 91A south to 91 west were there, while the only light there really was controlled the left turn from 91 north onto 91 west and the 91A south to 91 south corridor. I can imagine those lineups at the left turn were fairly long though.