Road projects should ease traffic tie-ups on Delta routes

Congestion is expected to ease for commuters and truck drivers thanks to a series of long-awaited projects aimed at improving traffic flow on major routes in Delta.

Representatives from the federal and provincial governments, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority and Tsawwassen First Nation announced on Friday that they will jointly fund five road projects, with construction to begin this year.

“These highway upgrades will reduce travel times for container trucks serving Deltaport and for British Columbians living in communities south of the Fraser River,” said Delta North MLA Scott Hamilton.

The estimated total cost is $245.2 million. The province and port authority will contribute approximately $80 million each, while the federal government has committed $81.7 million. The Tsawwassen First Nation will kick in $3.5 million.

The projects will take place at the Highway 91 and Nordel Way intersection, the Highway 91 connector and Nordel Way intersection, the Sunbury interchange, the Tilbury intersection, and at Deltaport Way and 27B Ave.

At Highway 91 and Nordel Way, where long lineups are the norm, two projects will take place. The plan is to construct a new two-lane off-ramp for Highway 91 traffic into Delta; a two-lane overpass on Nordel for westbound traffic; removal of the signal at Nordel Way North and the Highway 91 connector and a new intersection and overpass further north; and improved access to the weigh scale and overnight truck parking area.

A short distance away, where the Highway 91 connector, Highway 17 and River Road meet — known as the Sunbury interchange — there have been backups and issues with tractor-trailers tipping over in the intersection. Upgrades will include a new interchange to replace the traffic light, removing a signalized rail crossing on 96th Street, new lanes and three new overpasses.

Further west on Highway 17, a right turn at the Tilbury intersection will be replaced with a westbound highway on-ramp.