$235 million to widen highway, add HOV lane between 216th and 264th
Three levels of government are committing funding to widen Highway 1 from 216th Street to 264th Street in Langley.
The announcement was made Thursday by the provincial and federal governments, and the Township of Langley.
$235 million will be spent to widen 10 kilometres from 216th to 264th, by adding an HOV lane in each direction. Currently the highway is two lanes in each direction for most of the stretch, leading to traffic bottlenecks and frequent accidents. Over 9,000 commercial trucks use the highway from Langley to Chilliwack every day.
“This investment along Highway 1 is part of our government’s commitment to improve transportation networks across our province. By working on solutions for traffic gridlock, we are helping to alleviate congestion, improve transit times and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Premier John Horgan.
A 2018 Vancouver Sun report using statistics from ICBC found that crashes along Highway 1 from Langley to Chilliwack doubled from 2015 to 2017.
Work to widen Highway 1 from 202nd Street to 216th Street in Langley is already underway, with a new overpass already under construction at 216th Street.
As part of the widening project from 216th to 264th, the 232nd Street interchange will be reconfigured.
A new underpass will be also be constructed at Glover Road and the CP Rail crossing — one of the lowest overpasses on the route that is regularly struck by over-height trucks.
“Widening Highway 1 east of 216 Street and adding HOV lanes will help ease congestion, support our transportation network, and make it safer and easier for people and goods to move throughout our busy, growing region,” said Township of Langley Mayor Jack Froese.
A new truck parking lot will also be added near Highways 1 and 17 for up to 150 commercial trucks and up to 45 passenger vehicles.
