South Surrey motorists crossing Highway 99 on 16 Avenue will likely have to take detours to bypass construction of a new $24-million interchange.
The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure will host an open house on Nov. 1 – 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Earl Marriott Secondary, 15751 16 Ave. – to discuss the project and traffic management.
An Oct. 22 letter to neighbouring Langley Township advised the closure of 16 Avenue may be necessary during demolition of the existing underpass and installation of the new structure.
The ministry’s senior project manager, Jay Porter, said closing 16 Avenue provides several benefits.
These include a much safer worksite for drivers and workers, and reduced impact on the environment.
Furthermore, the closure of 16 Avenue – set to last between four and six months – will trim three months off the construction timetable.
Demolition is expected to begin in February or March, with completion of the interchange targeted for autumn of 2014.
In his letter to the city, Porter described the new interchange design as a “tight diamond” featuring on/off ramps on all four quadrants; replacement of the existing two-lane 16 Avenue underpass with a new six-lane structure (four lanes plus two left-turn lanes), traffic signals at either end of the structure, and the widening of 16 Avenue to four lanes but tapering back to two.
Porter indicated that the construction of the off-ramps may provide access for traffic from Highway 99 to 16 Avenue during a portion of the closure.