The start date of the planned upgrades to the intersection at Ladner Trunk Road and Arthur Drive has been moved.
The Corporation of Delta announced Thursday morning that at a meeting with Mayor Lois Jackson, Coun. Ian Paton, chief administrative officer George Harvie and director of engineering Steven Lan the decision was made to delay the start of construction at the intersection until early in 2013.
The underground utility work will now commence in mid-January. Once that is complete, the above ground upgrades will begin.
Initially, Delta had planned to start the work in early November, however, many local merchants voiced concerns over the effect the construction and related traffic disruptions would have on businesses during the busy holiday shopping season.
There was also a concern because many local business owners were originally told the work would start in the new year.
With the later start date, Lan said construction will likely run past May Days.
"The Ladner Business Association commends the municipality for listening to the people on this one," association president Brad Cooper said in an email to members.
"We look forward to working with the municipality in helping design a thoughtful and planned approach to informing the public of how the construction will proceed, and developing alternate route maps and timelines."
Last week, Delta council approved a preliminary design for improvements to the intersection.
While the idea of a roundabout was dismissed, due to concerns around traffic delays, pedestrian safety and additional property acquisition, the municipality is going ahead with upgrades that will include: widening of Arthur Drive and lane reconfiguration to improve traffic flow; stamped and coloured crosswalks; a decorative sidewalk; landscaping with rain gardens; decorative street lights with banners and hanging baskets; as well as a concrete (wooden in appearance) boardwalk across the Chillukthan Slough.
Plans were drawn to revamp the intersection earlier this year when the KFC building at the southeast corner was demolished. The property was purchased by Delta and its building was torn down to make room for a new right-turn lane on Arthur Drive.
There were also plans to expand the adjacent Magee Park and improve the pedestrian walkway.
The Corporation of Delta is holding a public open house next week to give residents and business owners an opportunity to view and comment on drawings of the proposed improvements. Staff will be on hand to answer any questions.
The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 1 at Kin House, 5050-47th Ave., Ladner. It will run from 6 to 8 p.m. and will have a drop-in format.
The proposed plans can be viewed on Delta's website, www.corp.delta.bc.ca.
