Sept. 2, 2010
Back to School HWY 1 Changes: Reminder for Motorists

VANCOUVER - As commuters return to their regular routines following the summer holidays, drivers in Metro Vancouver should be aware of a number of traffic pattern changes associated with the Port Mann/Highway 1 Improvement Project.

These changes include construction speed limits from Vancouver to Langley and significant traffic pattern changes at the Vancouver/Burnaby border and in Surrey as drivers approach the Port Mann Bridge.

In Burnaby, drivers exiting Highway 1 westbound at Willingdon Ave. to destinations north of the highway will notice a significant change in the traffic pattern configuration. Rather than exiting before the overpass and merging with traffic on Willingdon, drivers will proceed under the overpass and take the off-ramp loop to Willingdon. Once at Willingdon, a signal- controlled intersection will allow for left or right turns onto north or south Willingdon.

A similar configuration will be put in place south of Highway 1 at Willingdon in early 2011. In both cases, these changes are designed to allow for construction of the new, wider Willingdon overpass, reduce traffic weaving and improve safety.

In Surrey, at the 152 St. interchange, crews undertook significant work over the summer, including construction of the north and south retaining walls and abutments for a new overpass as well as construction of a new on-ramp to Highway 1. In order to reach this stage of construction, the 110 Ave. on-ramp to Highway 1 from Fraser Heights is now permanently closed. Drivers who previously accessed Highway 1 from 110 Ave. will now do so from 160 St. or from 152 St. via 156 St. and 104 or 108 Ave.

Finally, drivers are reminded that over the summer, new construction zone speed limits came into effect on Highway 1 as follows:

• 70 km/h - between the Cassiar Tunnel in Vancouver and Grandview Highway in Burnaby.
• 80 km/h - between Grandview Highway in Burnaby and 208 St. in Langley.

The Port Mann/Highway 1 Improvement Project is part of the busiest construction season ever, and a result of infrastructure investments designed to improve the flow of people and goods over the long term. The new Port Mann Bridge is scheduled to open to traffic in December 2012, a full year earlier than originally expected. When complete, the PMH1 Project will help travellers see time savings of up to 30 per cent due to reduced congestion.

In order to keep traffic moving and to reduce the need for highway closures, traffic pattern changes will be implemented as necessary until the project is complete. Drivers are encouraged to watch for changes and obey posted speed limits to ensure the safety of flag persons in construction zones. Visit www.pmh1project.com for more information.

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