Construction work on the upgrades to Ladner's main intersection is slated to being next week.
Delta's director of engineering Steven Lan said utility replacement work is slated to begin on Monday. Work will begin with utility replacements on 47A Avenue, which, he said, will have no effect on the Ladner Trunk Road/Arthur Drive intersection.
Work at the intersection won't begin for several weeks, Lan said.
He said the municipality will work to keep local business owners informed about the plans and the progress of the work, as well, a traffic management plan will be in place and traffic flow will be maintained throughout the construction process to minimize the effect on businesses in the village core.
Initially, the Corporation had planned to start the work early last 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. Subsequently, the municipality moved the start of construction to the new year.
Upgrades are to 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 for Arthur Drive.
There were also plans to expand the adjacent Magee Park and improve the pedestrian walkway.