Work has begun on improvements to the Haney Bypass in Maple Ridge.
It started this month and will continue sometime into summer 2020.
Four intersections are being improved as part of the $22-million project, including turning lanes at the corner of the bypass at 222nd Street and Kanaka Way at Lougheed Highway.
A traffic light will be installed at Callaghan Avenue, as well, and there will be a multi-use pathway built on the north side of Lougheed Hwy. from 222nd to 220th streets.
Eventually, the city wants to connect that to the existing pathway built a few years ago that goes from 216th to Laity streets.
According to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, the rush-hour traffic lineups are almost half a kilometre long at the east intersection of Kanaka Way and at the west intersection at 222nd Street.
The ministry also says that collision rates are two to three times the provincial average along the Haney Bypass.
One lane will remain open in each direction during the day and night for the duration of the project, meant to enhance safety.
“If night work or full closure of the travel lanes does occur, notice will be given in advance to local residents and posted on DriveBC,” according to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.
The completion of the project will see a second northbound left-turn lane added to the Haney Bypass and 222nd Street intersection on Lougheed Highway.
At the Haney Bypass and Kanaka Way intersection at Lougheed Highway, a second westbound left-turn lane will be added.
Extension of the through and left-turns lanes exiting the bypass will allow right-turning traffic to flow more efficiently.
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