BCTA is calling on all members to participate in the provincial consultations on the widening of Highway 1 between 216th and 264th Streets by March 19, 2021 with the ask to 6-lane Highway 1 to Hope, to build all overpasses to a minimum height clearance of 6m, and to ensure all bypasses and roundabouts can accommodate oversized vehicles, including turnpike double long combination vehicles.
On March 3, 2021, BCTA made a submission to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to provide feedback on the widening of Highway 1 between 216th and 264th Streets.
Aligned with BCTA’s priorities of public safety, the environment, affordability, while also increasing Western Canada’s trade abilities, BCTA recommends that Highway 1, from 216th Street to Hope be upgraded as follows:
Highway 1 road closures in the Kicking Horse Canyon (between Golden and Banff) are expected with single lane closures effective March 1, short term closures starting March 15 and long-term closures starting April 12, 2021.
The provincial government plans to widen Highway 1 between 216th and 264th streets in the Township of Langley and is looking for public input by March 19, 2021, to inform the final project design.
During this time, members can review and comment on details of the project design, including:
BCTA members may recall our requests in 2017-18 for truck drivers who operate in southern Ontario to complete a survey about truck parking in that region. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation recently committed to improvements, but the numbers fall short of those called for in a final study based on the survey.
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure recently installed weigh-in-motion strip sensors in all six lanes of Highway 91, southbound toward the Nordel Inspection Station, including the on-ramp from Cliveden Avenue and the counterflow lane.
Carriers and professional truck drivers who are registered and approved for the Weigh2GoBC program and pass a credential check may now be able to bypass the Nordel Inspection Station. The sensors weigh, measure and screen vehicles for safety requirements at highway speeds.
On January 19, 2021, BCTA sent a letter to BC Ferries to express concern about its reservation system and the long wait times at terminals for heavy commercial trucks.
Both issues create challenges for compliance with hours-of-service regulations for professional truck drivers, as well as significant greenhouse gas emissions from forced engine idling for long periods of time.
The existing Nordel Way Truck Parking Area will be temporarily relocated to a new site in Delta from February 5, 2021, through February 2022.
During that time, truck parking with restroom facilities will be available at 10008-10022 River Road, Delta.
BCTA encourages members who will be affected by highway closures related to the Kicking Horse Canyon Project to join our communications working group, which is scheduled to meet with Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure representatives for a project update on December 1, 2020, from 10 to 11:30 am.
At members’ request, BCTA is establishing a Kicking Horse Canyon Communication Working Group to receive regular updates from Phase 4 Project leads, provide feedback on key issues for the trucking industry, and assist in the development of best practices for sharing traffic management strategies.