Rob Fleming
The next phase of highway widening through Langley this summer will help ease traffic congestion in the Fraser Valley.
High occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes and the new 232nd Avenue interchange will be added as part of the province's Fraser Valley Highway 1 Corridor Improvement Program.
“We will begin major construction this summer to widen Highway 1 between 216th and 264th Streets, as well as improve another important crossing at 232nd Street,” B.C.'s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Rob Fleming, said Thursday. “This marks an important development in our plans to improve and widen Highway 1 all the way to Chilliwack, improving mobility and public transport services for people in the Fraser Valley.”
With utility relocation and other preparatory work complete, construction will begin this summer on widening approximately 10 kilometres of Highway 1. The widened highway will include eastbound and westbound HOV and electric vehicle (EV) lanes in the centre lanes between the 216th Street Interchange and the 264th Street Interchange.
“The widening of Highway 1 and work to improve key intersections are vital not only for motorists but also for local residents,” said Federal Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Minister Sean Fraser. “The new Glover Road crossing and other improvements will make the commute safer and more efficient for people traveling through the area, whether they're driving, buses, cycling or walking. I'm proud of the progress we've made so far and look forward to upcoming works that will further support the needs of our growing community.”
The $140 million contract for the freeway widening and construction of the new 232nd Street interchange was awarded to Hall Jacob JV, a joint venture between BD Hall Constructors Corp. and Jacob Bros. Construction Inc.
This section of Highway 1 fills up during peak hours, and adding new HOV lanes in each direction and the more efficient 232nd Street Interchange will ease congestion and make travel through the Fraser Valley faster and smoother.
The new 232nd Street Interchange will improve accessibility and strengthen connections between communities on both sides of the highway. The redesigned intersection will feature a 10-foot-wide multi-use walkway in both directions and increased height restrictions.
Work is nearly complete on the new Glover Road crossing, another key part of the Fraser Valley Highway 1 improvements, sections 216 to 264. The wider, higher Glover Road crossing over Highway 1 will soon open, restoring this important road for Langley Township residents and providing a safer crossing for pedestrians and cyclists.
“It's fantastic to see the new Glover Road crossing reopen – it's so important for the people who live and work in our community as it will make travel easier and faster for local residents,” said Meghan Dykeman, state councillor for Langley East. “I want to thank everyone for their patience while this new and much-improved crossing was built, and I also want to thank everyone for their hard work in getting this much-needed project for our community completed as quickly as possible.”
The widening project of Highway 1 from 216th Street to 264th Street is worth $345 million. The Government of Canada through the New Building Canada Fund is contributing $96.05 million to the project, with the remaining funding coming from the Province of British Columbia.
learn more:
Information about the Fraser Valley Highway 1 Corridor Improvement Program is available online.
https://www.gov.bc.ca/fraser-valley-highway1
