Highway 1 Widening Project
Public Engagement
Personal information collected by Urban Systems for the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, is under the authority of section 26(c) and 26(e) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of informing the Highway 1 Widening project. If you have any questions about the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information, please contact: Mohsin Gohir, Senior Project Manager, BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, 310-1500 Woolridge, Coquitlam BC, V3K0B8, (778)-572-3170.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure respectfully acknowledges that this project is being developed on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including Kwantlen First Nation, Matsqui First Nation, Semiahmoo First Nation, and the Stó:lō Nation.
Please note, this online engagement uses high resolution images. Depending on the speed of individual internet connections, the images may take some time to load.
Introduction
Welcome to the Highway 1 Widening Project StoryMap. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this public open house is being conducted online. To learn more about the initiative, ask questions, and provide your input, all you have to do is scroll down.
The slide show below outlines how to navigate this StoryMap. Please hit the right arrow to reveal more instructions. This platform is best used on desktop or tablet. To print this story, click the button below:
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Project Background
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is proceeding to the next phase of a project to widen the Trans-Canada Highway 1 within the Township of Langley between 216 Street and 264 Street. This project was announced in April 2019 and is funded through a partnership between the Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia and the Township of Langley.
Widening Highway 1 will enhance livability in the Fraser Valley by helping ease traffic congestion, reducing CO2 emissions and supporting the transportation network by making it safer and easier for people and goods to move throughout the busy region.
As part of Minister of State Bowinn Ma’s mandate letter of November 2020, the Ministry has been tasked with “widening Highway 1 through the Fraser Valley to ease congestion, with a goal of completing the widening of the highway as far as Whatcom by 2026.”
The Ministry is now working to determine how best to move forward with the previously announced project between 216 Street and 264 Street in consideration of the future Highway 1 widening work through to Whatcom Road.
The next step will be to create a detailed design for the work in early 2021 and the Ministry will use input from this public engagement process and feedback from key stakeholders to help inform the detailed design and overall scope of the project. Thank you for providing your input.
Project Timeline
Project Overview
The benefits of the project include:
- Improving safety by replacing low clearance structures
- Reducing traffic congestion by creating capacity for high-occupancy vehicles
- Strengthening active transportation facilities with enhanced connections to local cycling and pedestrian networks
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing traffic congestion and encouraging electric vehicle use
- Encouraging the use of more sustainable transportation modes
The project scope generally includes:
- Widening of 10 km of Highway 1 to accommodate eastbound and westbound high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes in the median between the 216 Street and 264 Street Interchanges
- Construction of a replacement crossing at Glover Road
- Reconfiguration of the existing 232 Street Interchange and the replacement of the existing crossing
- Construction of a replacement Railway crossing
The diagram below provides a visual overview of the entire project as well as how this project fits in to the larger mandate commitment of widening Highway 1 to Whatcom Road.
Continue to scroll down to see the proposed improvements being planned on Highway 1 between the 216 Street and 264 Street Interchanges. The design shown below is a basic design only and is meant to inform public and stakeholder input, which will be considered in developing the detailed design.
Highway Widening Between 216 Street and 264 Street in Langley
Problem
Currently, during peak periods, on Highway 1, there is significant traffic congestion that creates traffic delays, increased CO2 emissions and above-average collision rates.
Improvements
The widening is being designed to accommodate future traffic growth in a more sustainable way. It aims to reduce CO2 emissions by encouraging more environmentally friendly modes of transportation.
The widening includes 10 km of HOV lanes in the median between the 216 Street and 264 Street Interchanges. This will not only promote carpooling (and reduce the number of vehicles) but will also encourage electric vehicles and accommodate public transit.
In consideration of the larger mandate commitment to widen Highway 1 to Whatcom Road, the Ministry is contemplating two options for advancing the highway widening works between 232 and 264 Street.
Option 1:
- Add an HOV lane westbound between 264 Street and 232 Street and an HOV lane eastbound between 232nd and 264th Street by converting the existing eastbound truck climbing lane between 232nd and 264th Street to an HOV lane to allow for the continuous HOV lane.
- In the future, after the replacement of the 264th Street interchange, the truck climbing lane will be reintroduced.
Option 2:
- Retain the existing eastbound truck climbing lane and deliver the widening between 232 Street and 264 Street as part of the next program phase which includes the replacement of the 264 Street Interchange.
Photo credit: Google Earth
Glover Road Crossing
Problem
Right now, the Glover Road crossing:
- Is a low clearance structure that can be challenging for over-height commercial vehicles travelling on Highway 1
- Does not meet current standards for seismic design of bridges in British Columbia
- Is not conducive to accommodate forecast growth for cyclists and pedestrians
Improvements
This new replacement bridge will increase clearance height and safety for traffic travelling underneath. The new structure will also upgrade pedestrian and cyclists facilities.
Swipe the image below to view the planned Glover Road crossing improvements, including widening and a new multi-use path for cyclists and pedestrians.
Glover Road Crossing
Swipe the image below to view the current configuration and the planned Glover Road crossing improvements including a clearance increase from 4.52 metres to 5.2 metres.
Reconfiguring 232 Street Interchange
Problem
The existing configuration at the 232 Street Interchange no longer operates well under high traffic volumes. With increasing highway and local traffic, the existing configuration contributes to short weaving and short merging distances, which increases the risk of collisions. Lastly, the structure has a low clearance which poses and safety hazard and restricts the efficient movement of goods on this corridor.
Improvements
The 232 Street Interchange is being designed to be safer for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians:
- The structure will be raised from 4.6m to 5.2m
- It will improve sight lines for drivers
- Both the on and off ramp connections will be signalized, thereby optimizing multi-directional traffic movement
- The current Cloverleaf interchange design will be reconfigured into safer, more efficient connections to Highway 1
- Motorists using the interchange to connect to local roads will experience less congestion and delay
- There will be improved lighting for nighttime driving and inclement weather
- A multi-use path on the bridge will allow for dedicated cycling and pedestrian space
Swipe the image below to view the current configuration and the planned improvements to the 232 Street crossing.
The CP Rail Crossing
Problem
Because of low clearance at the current CP Rail crossing, the structure is occasionally struck by over-height commercial trucks which poses a safety concern and affects the reliability of the highway.
Improvements
The project will be eliminating the rail structures that only allow for 2 lanes and a clearance of 4.40 metres. The new replacement structure will have a clearance height of 5.2 metres and will accommodate 3 lanes in each direction, including sufficient room for an additional lane in the future.
Swipe the image below to view the current configuration and the planned improvements to the CP Rail crossing.
Enhancing Local Cycling Networks
Improvements
The new underpasses at Glover Road and the 232 interchange will greatly improve the North/South cycling connections. New multi use pathways will mean improved cycling safety over Highway 1.
Swipe the images below to view the current configuration and the planned improvements.
Signalized intersection at the 232 Interchange
Ask Questions and Read Responses
The public engagement period has ended. The Q/A is no longer accepting questions.
Project email: 216to264.Widening@gov.bc.ca .
Highway 1 Widening 216 St. -264 St.
