The new Willingdon interchange, with on- and off-ramps to Highway 1, is open to traffic this week.
This means crews will route traffic onto the new overpass and on- and off-ramps, which have been relocated and will feature traffic lights where they connect with the overpass, according to a press release from the Transportation Investment Corporation, which is in charge of the Port Mann-Highway 1 Improvement Project.
"These lights will help traffic safely move into left turn and right turn lanes, eliminating the need for the multiple lane changes that were a factor in making the Willingdon area one of the province's highest frequency crash locations," the release from the Crown corporation stated.
The eastbound on- and off-ramps are being moved about 250 metres east of the new overpass in the next few weeks.
The Highway 1 westbound on- and off-ramp has been temporarily relocated east of Willingdon Avenue while crews dismantle the old overpass. Once demolished, work will begin to double the width of the new overpass.
Once that work is completed, the westbound ramps will be reopened west of Willingdon Avenue, the temporary ramps will be removed and that area reclaimed as an environmental enhancement site, the release stated.
Construction in the area is continuing. The final Willingdon overpass will be eight lanes wide with two through-lanes in each direction, one high occupancy vehicle lane in each direction plus dual left hand turn lanes at both the north and south ends of the overpass for access to the on-ramps and off-ramps.
The bridge and highway improvement project covers 37 kilometres of highway widening from Vancouver to Langley, and includes rebuilding seven highway overpasses and nine highway interchanges.
Construction work to complete the project, including the final two lanes of the new 10-lane bridge, will continue through 2013, with the existing bridge scheduled for decommissioning in 2014.
