Traffic will continue to be slower than usual on a busy Delta roadway as a major component of an upgrade project is now being installed.
The city notes that construction of a concrete centre median along 72 Avenue between Westview Drive and 115 Street is currently underway.
Once installed, left turns onto 72 Avenue where the North Delta median is being constructed will be restricted.
Vehicles will use alternate routes temporarily until construction of the proposed signalized U-turns at Westview Drive and 112 Street are completed.
Single-lane traffic in each direction will be maintained.
It’s part of the first phase of the 72 Avenue Roadway Improvements Project, which takes place from the BNSF Overpass to 115 Street.
It also consists of the relocation of the curb, gutter and sidewalks, new traffic signals as well as new street lighting along the corridor, which will become a four-lane roadway.
The city notes that the first phase is to be “substantially complete” by this October and every effort will be made to minimize inconvenience to residents.
“However, with work of this nature, some inconvenience will be unavoidable and we ask for your patience and cooperation during construction,” the city notes.
To minimize traffic disruption, work that will have major traffic impacts, such as major asphalt paving, is planned to be undertaken in the late evenings and overnight when traffic is generally minimal.
Expected to start in 2023, the next phase of the road improvement project will see upgrades taking place from 115 Street to Scott Road.
The project also includes rehabilitation of the existing parking lot at Heath Elementary school, including landscaping and installation of a rain garden.
Delta school district staff told the board of education last week that the new traffic pattern and volume will be reviewed following completion of the project to ascertain if an additional adult crossing guard is warranted at Heath, which currently has both morning and afternoon crossing guards.
