An upcoming series of improvements along the Highway 99 corridor in Delta will tie in to the replacement project for the George Massey Tunnel.
The province several weeks ago announced major corridor improvements aimed at easing traffic congestion and supporting transit on both sides of the aging tunnel, all in advance of the tunnel’s replacement.
Delta’s engineering department recently provided an update to council on what those changes will look like on both sides of the Fraser River, including improvements to the Steveston interchange, additional bus-on-shoulder lanes on Highway 99, a new bus-only connection at Bridgeport Road and upgrading cycling infrastructure.
On the south side of the tunnel, bus-on-shoulder lanes along Highway 99 will be extended in both directions.
That work will include the addition of a southbound transit priority bus-on-shoulder lane between the Highway 17A and Highway 17 interchanges.
That work involves widening the existing shoulders for 2.5 kilometres.
There’s also going to be the addition of a southbound transit priority bus-on-shoulder lane for 3.4 kilometres between Highway 17 and Ladner Trunk Road.
As well, there’s going to be the addition of a northbound transit priority bus-on-shoulder lane from north of Ladner Trunk Road to the current start of the HOV lane on Highway 99 for 3.5 kilometres.
At the Highway 99/Highway 17A interchange, the Highway 99 northbound off-ramp and on-ramp will be widened to add a second lane for bus priority.
North of the tunnel, at Bridgeport Road, a new bus-only access will be created from Bridgeport Road to Highway 99 southbound.
As far as the Steveston interchange, the existing two-lane overpass structure at Steveston Highway and Highway 99 will be replaced to accommodate two eastbound lanes and three westbound lanes, including a left turn lane to southbound Highway 99.
Access improvements to transit stops and pedestrian and cycling connections across Highway 99 will also be included.
Cycling improvements will include, among other things, upgrades to the bicycle shuttle pull-out on Highway 17A where a new shelter will be installed.
Improvements to cycling facilities along Highway 17A will also include new ramp crossings and better connection into the existing network.
Construction of the Steveston interchange improvements is planned to begin in 2022 and it’s to be completed in 2025.
Construction of the Highway 99 bus-on-shoulder lane extension and the transit and cycling improvements is scheduled to begin this fall.
