A long-term plan is under development for the section of Highway 1 between Lynn Valley Road and the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal.

This is a key east-west route for people who live and work on the North Shore.

“With another million people expected in the Lower Mainland over the next 20 years, we need to start the early work now to keep traffic moving and encourage more active transportation,” said Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “This study will identify potential future improvements to the Upper Levels Highway that connects people to ferries, the Sea to Sky Highway, work and school, and the many recreational activities this region has to offer.”

The scope of work includes assessing current and future performance of the route, predicting travel demand to the year 2050, and developing and evaluating the feasibility of potential improvements. Options will include highway upgrades, along with opportunities to boost travel by transit and incorporate active transportation.

“North Shore residents are frustrated by the piecemeal approach that past governments have taken on transportation,” said Bowinn Ma, MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale. “Co-ordinated, long-term action plans, like the one developed by the Integrated North Shore Transportation Planning Project, help us move forward as a region. Determining the next steps for Highway 1 builds on the work we’re doing now to ensure access and mobility on the North Shore into the future.”

The $110,000 contract was awarded to Parsons Inc. The study is expected to be complete by summer 2020.