The City of Delta has issued a request for proposals for the design, contract administration and construction inspection services for protected cycle lanes on River Road from 68 Street to Deas Island Road.
River Road along that stretch is classified as an arterial roadway and is located on a 'Major Road Network' as it is on bus and truck routes.
A physical barrier between the travel lane and proposed bike lane is required, the city notes, adding that it has recently constructed protected cycling lanes with a concrete barrier on River Road from 68th Street to 72nd Street.
The plan is to continue the protected cycling lanes, with the latest improvement to provide a section of protected cycling routes from Ladner to North Delta.
The improvements include 1.8-metre-wide cycle lanes on both sides, new concrete barriers, related signage, pavement marking, road widening and bus stop modifications as needed.
The final design component should be completed by Nov. 29. Tendering and construction of the project is anticipated for 2025.
Multi-use pathway
Meanwhile, construction will be getting underway for a new multi-use pathway along the north side of River Road from Ferry Road to Elliott Street. The pathway is to improve connectivity between Marina Gardens and Ladner Village, creating safer and more accessible travel options.
According to a recent report from HUB Cycling, the length of bikeways in the Metro Vancouver region has nearly tripled from 1,700 km in 2009 to 4,600 km in 2019.
The second State of Cycling Benchmarking Report also notes that in areas where the network has grown or improved, the rate of cycling collisions has dropped, and the number of cycling trips has increased dramatically.
The report adds that 60 per cent of Metro Vancouver residents live near a bikeway that is considered comfortable for most people, while the percentage of people using sustainable modes as their primary source of transportation has increased from 24 per cent in 2011 to 27 per cent in 2017.
