BC Highway Construction

[SOSS]

Originally Posted by Klazu

When are they planning to have the whole route from Vernon to Osoyoos four laned? Kelowna also needs a bypass.

Currently there is a study for the Peachland through 2nd crossing. It's therorised to leave the current alignment south of Peachland where it drops from 4 lanes to 2. Head up into the hills above and around all Peachland development. It would reconnect near Trepanier Creek to 97C. That alignment has been pushed by a very vocal group of Peachland residents. Extending from there it could be pushed through the hills in behind the sawmill and basically above all the West Kelowna development. The second crossing would therotically connect this route to the Central Okanagan Multi-Model Corridor. That corridor is already on the city of Kelowna's long term plan to provide a new limited access road from Clement to UBC-O mostly following the rail route.

As for the south okanagan, no solid plans or study area was far as I know.

[SOSS]

Mentioned on the Kelowna tread but also belongs here. Note the underpass location for Hudson connecting to a new traffic circle:

While continuing with its two-year study of the entire Highway 97 corridor through the Central Okanagan, the province is zeroing in on two Westside intersections that are ranked among the worst in the province for accidents.

The intersections at Highway 97 and Westlake and Boucherie Roads are currently ranked as the worst and second worst respectively west of the lake and the 20th and 24th worst respectively in the province, according Murray Tekano of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

At an open house in West Kelowna Wednesday evening to unveil proposals for underpasses at both intersections, Tekano said the Highway 97 corridor study has already identified both intersections as priorities for improvement.

The province is proposing an underpass under the existing intersection at Boucherie Road and the highway, anchored by roundabouts at both ends of the new road on the north-west and south-east sides of the Highway 97. The existing traffic lights would be removed on the highway where the intersection is today and the highway would become a through road. Off-ramp roads would be built to take traffic off the highway on both sides. The north-west roundabout would be at the intersection with Horizon Drive and the south-east roundabout would be at the intersection with Boucherie Road and Sneena Road.

To the west, at Westlake Road, an underpass is proposed east of the existing intersection via a new connecting road to be build running from the Hudson Road and Boucherie Road intersection under the highway to a roundabout at Steven's Road on the north side of the Highway 97. The intersection at Westlake and the highway would remain but become a "right-in, right-out" option only for traffic turing onto, and off of, the highway. Traffic would not longer cross the highway at that point.

Tekano said both proposals—chosen after a number of other possible configurations were looked at and rejected for reasons such as cost, disturbance to the area, land use, foot print and connectivity—would likely cost around $40 million each, the same amount as the nearby Westside Road overpass built in 2013.

With approvals, land purchases and detailed design work yet to take place, Tekano said construction is likely still at least a few years away.

But he said with safety being the top priority, something has to be done at both intersections and that is why work is being looked at now.

He pointed to the Westside Road overpass as an example of how safety could be improved, saying it has helped reduce accidents there by 75 per cent since 2013.

In addition to gathering public input about the conceptual plans for both intersections at Wednesday's open house in West Kelowna, and at another on the WFN reserve onThursday—both proposals include land currently belonging to the WFN—the ministry is accepting feedback until March 20.

To give feedback and learn more about the proposals for both intersections, you can go to the projects website: www.gov.bc.ca/okanaganvalleycorridorprojects and fill out a feedback form or email the ministry at [email protected].

source

[Metro-One]

Thanks for posting.

Took a look at both of them, honestly they look pretty good.

They really wont be anymore intrusive than what exists already and they will likely improve safety quite a bit.

Also I always enjoy seeing more roundabouts.

Also saw that in interchange is being considered for the western edge of Chase on the #1 with a continued 4 lanning project there.

I am happy that that will not be an intersection.

[SOSS]

Undoubtedly safety will be improved. My parents got caught in a semi-serious accident right in front of the Kal Tire at that corner. Lefts along most of that corridor have improved with advance lights being installed but those safety improvements are limited.

[Stingray2004]

One interesting tidbit that caught my attention from yesterday's fed budget:

"To stimulate the economy over two years, the government also earmarked $85.9 million to twin part of the Trans-Canada Highway through Yoho National Park [in BC]".

Good news!

To preface, Hwy 1, within national parks, is completely under federal jurisdiction and 100% fed dollars. To wit, the feds began twinning Hwy 1 through Banff National Park westward in the early 1980's and finally completed same within the last few years right up to the BC border - where Yoho NP commences.

Now that twinning will commence further westward over the next 2 years. When the entire Yoho NP twinning of Hwy 1 is completed it will join up with BC MoTI's Kicking Horse Canyon project... which still requires ~$650 million for the complex phase 4 of that project. As with all phases, phase 4 thereto will have both provincial/fed funding.

[Vantage]

Originally Posted by Stingray2004

Now that twinning will commence further westward over the next 2 years. When the entire Yoho NP twinning of Hwy 1 is completed it will join up with BC MoTI's Kicking Horse Canyon project... which still requires ~$650 million for the complex phase 4 of that project. As with all phases, phase 4 thereto will have both provincial/fed funding.

Just curious what phase 4 will look like. Is there any drawings?

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by Stingray2004

One interesting tidbit that caught my attention from yesterday's fed budget:

"To stimulate the economy over two years, the government also earmarked $85.9 million to twin part of the Trans-Canada Highway through Yoho National Park [in BC]".

Good news!

To preface, Hwy 1, within national parks, is completely under federal jurisdiction and 100% fed dollars. To wit, the feds began twinning Hwy 1 through Banff National Park westward in the early 1980's and finally completed same within the last few years right up to the BC border - where Yoho NP commences.

Now that twinning will commence further westward over the next 2 years. When the entire Yoho NP twinning of Hwy 1 is completed it will join up with BC MoTI's Kicking Horse Canyon project... which still requires ~$650 million for the complex phase 4 of that project. As with all phases, phase 4 thereto will have both provincial/fed funding.

Given how economically important that stretch of road is as well as how dangerous it can be, the entire project needs to be fast tracked. $43/year doesn't cut it. Allocate enough money to get it done as quickly possible. It will pay for itself in relatively short order. If need be toll the road to raise money to improve and maintain it.

[Stingray2004]

Originally Posted by Vantage

Just curious what phase 4 will look like. Is there any drawings?

• Video Link

[sonysnob]

Originally Posted by Klazu

Driving from Kelowna to Vancouver this time of year can be a roller coaster of seasons.

These photos are very beautiful.

[craner]

Originally Posted by Stingray2004

One interesting tidbit that caught my attention from yesterday's fed budget:

"To stimulate the economy over two years, the government also earmarked $85.9 million to twin part of the Trans-Canada Highway through Yoho National Park [in BC]".

Good news!

To preface, Hwy 1, within national parks, is completely under federal jurisdiction and 100% fed dollars. To wit, the feds began twinning Hwy 1 through Banff National Park westward in the early 1980's and finally completed same within the last few years right up to the BC border - where Yoho NP commences.

Now that twinning will commence further westward over the next 2 years. When the entire Yoho NP twinning of Hwy 1 is completed it will join up with BC MoTI's Kicking Horse Canyon project... which still requires ~$650 million for the complex phase 4 of that project. As with all phases, phase 4 thereto will have both provincial/fed funding.

Nice catch!
Not a lot of $$ but at least they acknowledged the need for the project. Hopefully we see continuous funding for twinning the TCH through BC to complete it.
It still astounds me it wasn't completed 30 years ago.

[milomilo]

Originally Posted by Stingray2004

[youtube]h_iw2ZwmDEI[youtube]

Nice! Actually looks like a first world country.

[Metro-One]

Yep, but now we just need the money....

[craner]

^Yeah - we've been waiting close to ten years now since that video was made - have we not ?

[SOSS]

The new McKenzie interchange will be built as a partial cloverleaf reflecting the preferred option of 75% of those who participated in the public consultation, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone announced today. This design is also the safest, most efficient option and best meets the long-term needs of this region.

“I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to let us know their thoughts on the McKenzie interchange project, as this input is fundamental to ensuring the interchange meets the needs of those who will be using it,” said Stone. “We heard overwhelming support for the partial cloverleaf design, supported by the team’s ongoing technical analysis, and now our work continues in discussing further details with stakeholder groups and the public as we finalize the design.”

Technical analysis shows that the partial cloverleaf will operate more safely and efficiently than other option – the diamond interchange. The partial cloverleaf reduces the chances of collisions and, as such, is expected to provide $4 million in additional safety benefits over the other options in just the first 20 years. As well, with no stop lights for vehicles turning left onto McKenzie, travel will be more efficient for traffic now and for expected traffic volume in the future.

The design also improves access for cyclists, pedestrians and transit users, making travel better for transit users and safer for cyclists and pedestrians. It provides a separated route for a wider Galloping Goose Trail with a new path over the highway and McKenzie Avenue, avoiding the lights and vehicle traffic. The project will also include bus lanes, transit priority signals, and improved connections to bus stops.

"Saanich's interest in this project has always been to ensure that the preferred option addresses the long-term needs of our community," said Saanich Mayor Richard Atwell. "We look forward to continuing our work with the Province of B.C. on this important transportation initiative."

The ministry recognizes that the partial cloverleaf has a larger footprint on the surrounding area affecting Cuthbert Holmes Park. It remains committed to developing the project in an environmentally responsible way and in the best interest of residents. As the project moves forward, staff will continue to work closely with stakeholders, including the District of Saanich, community associations and park stewards in preparing a comprehensive plan to mitigate the impact on the environment, and ensure there is no net loss of park land.

Meetings will also continue with stakeholder groups to develop the remaining details around cycling and pedestrian connections and noise mitigation strategies. The ministry will showcase the final plan at a third open house scheduled for May 18, 2016, from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Parish Hall, 753 Burnside Road West.

Construction is slated to begin this fall.

Link

[DKaz]

Oh come on, that section of TransCanada Highway is so fun!


Photo by me.

Link to curve on Google Maps:
https://goo.gl/maps/8tFUfCb1ytS2

[libtard]

Originally Posted by DKaz

Oh come on, that section of TransCanada Highway is so fun!


Photo by me.

Link to curve on Google Maps:
https://goo.gl/maps/8tFUfCb1ytS2

Where are the lane markings? Is that a 2 lane road??

[DKaz]

Originally Posted by libtard

Where are the lane markings? Is that a 2 lane road??

Scraped off by the snowplows probably. They repaint it every spring.

[Stingray2004]

Originally Posted by craner

^Yeah - we've been waiting close to ten years now since that video was made - have we not ?

Video is about a couple of years old. If that. Problem is that last ~5 km of the Kicking Horse Canyon project will cost about $500 million+ or a very, very pricey ~$100 million+/km.

BC MoTI has also indicated that they will likely break-down Phase 4 into separate projects. MoTI's expected time-line for final completion? Fall, 2023.

[DKaz]

$100 mil/km, makes Skytrain seem like a bargain...

[lubicon]

Originally Posted by Stingray2004

Video is about a couple of years old. If that. Problem is that last ~5 km of the Kicking Horse Canyon project will cost about $500 million+ or a very, very pricey ~$100 million+/km.

BC MoTI has also indicated that they will likely break-down Phase 4 into separate projects. MoTI's expected time-line for final completion? Fall, 2023.

Pricey on first review. I would be interested to see a cost/benefit analysis. Factor in the savings (both time and fuel) especially to the trucking industry and the payback might look pretty good. And that doesn't even factor in the human cost (medical due to accidents) or things like maintenance on the current road.