Hard hats and heavy machinery will be a common sight over the next year along the Haney Bypass in Maple Ridge, as construction to make this corridor safer starts soon.

One lane in each direction will always be available during the day and night for commuters. If night work or full closure of the travel lanes does occur, notice will be given in advance to local residents and posted on DriveBC.

People who live and work in Maple Ridge have been asking for safety and efficiency improvements at the Haney Bypass, to create better traffic flow and access in the area. Once complete, these improvements will provide significant safety and mobility benefits for everyone travelling this route, including dual left-turn lanes from Haney to the Lougheed Highway, raised concrete medians to separate opposing traffic, improved lighting and a multi-use pathway along Lougheed.

The ministry has modified design at the intersection of Highway 7 and 222nd Street to include a single, unsignalized right-turn lane from Lougheed Highway onto Haney Bypass while retaining the left-turn lanes at this intersection, which was important to the community of Maple Ridge.

Other improvements on Haney Bypass include a new traffic signal at Callaghan Avenue, elimination of the left turnout at 225th Street and additional turn lanes at Kanaka Way. A two-way three-metre-wide cycling and pedestrian path along the north side of the Lougheed Highway from 220th to 222nd streets will be built, as well improvements to sidewalks near Callaghan Avenue.

These Highway 7 upgrades are part of an overall $70-million strategy for three communities along this corridor:  Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and Mission. The funding comes from the Government of British Columbia and the Government of Canada.

Work is scheduled to be complete in the summer of 2020.

Quotes:

Dan Ruimy, MP for Pitt Meadows- Maple Ridge, on behalf François-Philippe Champagne, federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities –

“After much discussion, I am thrilled to see work is now getting underway on a crucial improvement to the Haney Bypass. These upgrades are designed to significantly improve traffic flow, as well as the safety of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians at a high-risk intersection. This will allow people in our community to spend less time commuting and more time with their families.”

Claire Trevena, B.C.’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure –

“This is a busy corridor, and commuters will benefit greatly from these safety improvements. Any new project needs to consider a range of road users, so I’m pleased that part of this project features a three-metre wide multi-use pathway from 220th to 222nd streets.”

Bob D’Eith, MLA for Maple-Ridge-Mission –

“I drive the bypass regularly and have seen volumes along this corridor steadily increase. This project will be welcome news for commuters and people trying to get around in our community.”