Construction will begin this year on $245 million worth of roadwork in Surrey and Delta aimed at improving the flow of traffic, especially heavy truck traffic moving goods to and from the Deltaport container terminal.
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority federal and provincial governments are contributing roughly $80 million each to the project. The Tsawwassen First Nation is also contributing $3.5 million.
The work will involve five road projects, with the bulk of big money going towards projects to improve traffic flows on the highway 91-Nordel Way interchange. The work includes 15 kilometres of new passing lanes, offramps and overpasses.
The work also includes $13 million worth of work to improve traffic flows at the Deltaport Way and 27B Avenue.
“These highway improvements will reduce travel times for container trucks serving Deltaport and for British Columbians living in communities south of the Fraser River,” said Delta North MLA Scott Hamilton.
“By improving the flow of traffic through this region, residents and local businesses will be better connected to their communities, both socially and economically.”
The road improvements will also benefit the Tsawwassen First Nation, which has used its treaty lands to develop the Tsawwassen Mills mall and logistics businesses, including a container inspection facility, warehouses and multimodal transloading facilities.
“These infrastructure improvements will have positive long-term impacts on Tsawwssen First Nations’s plans for sustainable economic growth,” said Tsawwassen Chief Bryce Williams.
“Direct benefits include job creation, an improved road and transit network to serve our residents, visitors and workersm, and substantial traffic relief at major congestion points through the community.”
The government estimates the new roadwork will create 745 direct construction jobs. The work is slated to begin this year and be completed by 2021.
