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:
- Six-laned, to accommodate current and future road demands in a manner that promotes road safety and efficient movement of people and goods;
- That all overpasses be upgraded to a minimum height clearance of at least 6m, in support of movement of oversized loads and opening up Western Canada’s trade competitiveness;
- Where height obstructions cannot be built to a minimum of 6m, that bypasses be installed to allow oversized vehicles to remain on the provincial road network; and
- All bypasses and roundabouts be built to accommodate oversized vehicles, including but not limited to turnpike double long combination vehicles which have the potential to reduce GHG emissions by up to 41%.
Improvements to provincial infrastructure play a critical role in reducing GHG emissions from BC’s road transportation sector and make the roads safer for all users. This segment of highway has several physical barriers that restrict the size (i.e., height) of the vehicles and freight it can accommodate. Additionally, based on ICBC statistics, the number of crashes between 216th Street, Langley and Chilliwack doubled from 510 total crashes in 2015 to 1,100 total crashes in 2017, with the contributing cause being attributed to congestion due to lack of infrastructure capacity.
Highway 1 from 216th to 264th Streets is BCTA members' number one priority infrastructure project based on our last two member infrastructure surveys; see here for the results from our last survey.
To help ensure government builds this critical segment of Highway 1 to specifications that will promote our sector, we call on all our members to participate in the consultation process to highlight the asks above.
The provincial government is looking for public input by March 19, 2021, to inform the final project design.
To participate in the consultation process, please visit the government consultation site here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021TRAN0022-000275 or refer to our Call to Action Highway 1 Bulletin Article to print a copy of a template letter on your company letterhead, for scanning and delivery via e-mail to the provincial government.
Additional information can be found on the government’s Highway 1 - 216th to 264th Widening Project Website, or BCTA’s February 19, 2021 Bulletin article, “Public Consultation! Hwy 1 Widening, 216 to 264 Street”
