The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is starting design work on an upcoming safety improvement project in Maple Ridge, to install median barrier on a 6.6-kilometre section of Highway 7, stretching from 240th to 272nd streets.

This section of highway is four-lane and undivided, and the ministry has received feedback from the local community that it would like to see median barrier placed along this segment to improve safety for the travelling public. Once installed, a centre barrier will greatly improve safety on this busy stretch of highway by preventing head-on collisions and other crossover incidents.

“As part of B.C. on the Move, we’re committed to making important safety and mobility upgrades throughout B.C.,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone. “We know that the community of Maple Ridge considers this a high priority project and we are pleased to get moving on the design and upcoming installation of this median barrier on Highway 7.”

This project will be split into two phases. The first phase, from 240th Street to the truck pullout, is approximately 3.4 kilometres long. Construction work on this segment is expected to begin in winter 2016.  The second phase of the project, from the truck pullout to 272nd Street, is expected to get underway in spring 2017.

“Highway 7 is a well-travelled stretch of highway, which serves local traffic, commuter traffic, commercial vehicles and tourists,” said Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton. “Once the new median barrier is installed, it will act as a visual and physical centre barrier, helping to prevent crossovers and boosting safety for all motorists. Both MLA Bing and I have been advocating for this safety improvement, so I’m glad to see the median barrier project move forward.”

“This will be a welcome safety improvement in this area, especially for locals who use this route often and especially during periods of bad weather and at night,” said Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows MLA Doug Bing. “There have been several infrastructure advances over the years in the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows area and this is an important upgrade to this key corridor as well.”

The ministry is investing approximately $300,000 on engineering and design of the new median barrier, with final construction costs to be determined on completion of the detailed design. 

“This upcoming safety improvement project for new median barriers along Highway 7 is good news for our residents and much appreciated by the community of Maple Ridge,” said Maple Ridge Mayor Nicole Read. “We are grateful to our MLAs and the Province for delivering these safety improvements, which will substantially improve the safety of Lougheed Highway from 240th to 272nd.”

There are a number of intersections and commercial accesses along the corridor which will be addressed through the design process. The B.C. government will be engaging with the Maple Ridge local government and community over the next few months to develop designs for the median-barrier project.

In addition, the ministry is working closely with the City of Maple Ridge on a future plan for improving safety and mobility on the Haney Bypass, including the intersections of 222nd Street and Kanaka Way. A range of design options have been developed and they are currently assessed for effectiveness in improving operations on this corridor. This work is expected to be completed later this year.

Over the last 10 years, the ministry has invested more than $300 million on the Highway 7 corridor, including: the new seven-lane Pitt River Bridge, which opened to traffic in October 2009, replacing the two original swing bridges; the new Mary Hill Bypass; the four-laning project from Nelson Street to Wren Street (approximately two kilometres); replacing the two-lane Silverdale Creek Bridge with a four-lane bridge; the HOV/Rapid Bus Lane project from Harris Road to Dewdney Trunk Rd (approximately 2.5 kilometres), which included a median barrier; and the Nelson Street intersection safety improvement project in Mission.

This project is a part of B.C. on the Move, the Province’s 10-year transportation plan. The B.C. government will invest approximately $1 billion over the next three years to ensure B.C.’s transportation network has the capacity and reliability to meet transport and trade needs, with maximum safety and minimal delays.

Learn More:

B.C. on the Move is available online at http://engage.gov.bc.ca/transportationplan/