How many new lanes will be added to this section of Highway 1?
One new highway lane is being added in each direction from the Cassiar Connector to the new Port Mann Bridge. The existing HOV lanes will start/terminate at the Grandview Highway Interchange.
What improvements will take place in the Vancouver-Burnaby area of Highway 1?
Many improvements are planned for this section of Highway 1.
In addition to highway widening by one extra lane in each direction, there will be extensions to the First Avenue and Broadway overpasses. The BNSF Railway and Boundary Road overpasses are being replaced, and new HOV ramps are being constructed, linking Grandview Highway and Highway 1.
In addition, newer, wider overpasses are being constructed at Willingdon Avenue, Sprott Street and Kensington Avenue.
Overpasses are also being replaced at Gaglardi Way and Cariboo Road.
Finally, widening is being carried out to the Brunette River overpass, an additional BNSF Railway overpass and the North Road overpass.
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What improvements are planned for the Boundary Road westbound on-ramp?
Current plans include a new westbound on-ramp with a longer merge distance in place of the current yield system. This will improve the on-ramp to current design standards.
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What improvements are planned for the Grandview Highway area of Highway 1?
A number of safety and efficiency improvements are planned at the Grandview Highway Interchange to address transportation demand.
These include:
New dedicated HOV ramps to and from Highway 1 to encourage carpooling and reduce congestion
Improvements to existing on-ramps for general purpose traffic
Improved safety and traffic flow
New left-turn lanes from Grandview to Boundary Road northbound and southbound.
why isn't the original Grandview Highway to Willingdon Avenue area collector/ distributor system and Gilmore overpass replacement being done?
The collector/distributor system remains part of the scope of the Port Mann/Highway 1 Improvement project; however, it is not planned to be complete by 2013. This is because traffic volumes in that area do not require it at this time.
Instead, there will be four highway lanes in each direction through to Grandview Highway. All of the current improvements are designed to work with the future auxiliary lane design.
In the future, when the longer term plans for an arterial lane system are implemented, replacement of the existing Grandview and Gilmore Avenue structures may be required.
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What improvements are being made at Willingdon Avenue?
A new, wider overpass will be built as well as a new Willingdon Avenue interchange configuration. This new structure will expand the number of lanes from five to eight, as well as providing a wider, safer multi‐use path for pedestrians and cyclists and supporting a local HOV/transit lane on Willingdon.
With the new configuration, all eastbound traffic exiting at Willingdon will do so east of the overpass. After travelling underneath the overpass, drivers will be routed to Willingdon Avenue, with the option of proceeding north or south at a signal‐controlled intersection.
A similar configuration will be put in place for westbound Highway 1 traffic. Vehicles will proceed under the Willingdon overpass before exiting. All exiting traffic will be routed to Willingdon Avenue, before proceeding north or south at a signal‐controlled intersection.
Relocating the on-ramps and off-ramps will provide vehicles with more space and time to merge, reducing traffic weaving and congestion and improving safety.
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What are the Government Street Transit Ramps?
The new Government Street Transit Ramps Project will act as the western hub for the new RapidBus service that will run over the new Port Mann Bridge. This service will link Lougheed SkyTrain station to Langley in less than 25 minutes, as fast or faster than travel by car.
The new Government Street Transit Ramps project includes:
Transit only on- and off-ramps to and from Highway 1, connecting to Lougheed Town Centre via Government Street
Bus-activated intersection traffic signal on Government Street, with a left turn bay onto Highway 1 and raised median to provide safe transit access to and from Highway 1 and assist with traffic calming on Government Street.
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Why was Lougheed Station chosen for the Transit Ramps and when was the decision made?
As part of project planning in 2006, the public was consulted on possible future sites for park and ride facilities and transit ramps. Specifically, people were asked for their preference between Braid Street and Lougheed Town Centre as the western terminus of Highway 1 bus service.
People indicated a preference for Lougheed Town Centre, particularly as it is the proposed connection point for the future Evergreen line.
As part of our application for an environmental assessment certificate, discussions with Translink were ongoing regarding whether Braid or Lougheed Town Centre would be selected as the preferred location. The application mentions the results of initial public consultation that revealed a preference for connection with Lougheed Town Centre rather than Braid. The decision in favor of Lougheed came after PMH1 certification which is one reason the Government Street ramps require further regulatory review.
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What environmental enhancements are being carried out in Vancouver-Burnaby?
As part of the project, important environmental and habitat work is taking place on‐and off‐corridor to deliver the project to the highest environmental standards. At Boundary Road the existing Still Creek culvert will benefit from a number of improvements, as well as placement of a new culvert placement alongside the existing.
The existing box culverts under Willingdon Avenue will be removed and replaced by a new bridge crossing. New stream habitat will be created adjacent to Still Creek (near the Willingdon Avenue Interchange) and will provide winter rearing habitat for young Coho Salmon.
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