A major Highway 1 construction project is one big step closer to getting underway now that the nine-figure contract has been awarded.
The province recently announced that the work for the upcoming Highway 11 Interchange Project is going to be handled through a partnership consisting of Hall Constructors, Jacob Bros., and EBC Inc.
This contract, which is worth a total of $242 million, covers a significant portion of the third phase of the Fraser Valley Highway 1 Corridor Improvement Program.
By the end of January, these construction crews will begin work on the section of Highway 1 that extends from McKenzie Road to just east of the Highway 11 Interchange.
This upgrade includes the creation of new HOV/EV lanes and bus-on-shoulder lanes, bike paths, new truck parking, and the replacement of the Riverside Road/Rail overpass.
Transportation and Transit Minister Mike Farnworth said that this project will help address the traffic volume issues plaguing Highway 1.
“Today’s step forward is great news for folks who commute through this region,” said Farnworth.
“The upgrades we’re making to Highway 11 will not only reduce bottlenecks but also improve transit and active forms of transportation, making it easier for everyone to reach their destinations. That means less time on the road and more time families can spend with each other.”
Expanding the Highway 11 Interchange will ease access between two vital Lower Mainland roads and have positive implications for much more than just those who live in or around Abbotsford, said Abbotsford Mayor Ross Siemens.
“With more than 80,000 vehicles travelling through Abbotsford every day, our community relies on safe and efficient corridors to keep people and goods moving,” said Siemens.
“The City of Abbotsford is pleased to see the Highway 11 Interchange Project moving forward, strengthening this critical route.”
The rest of Phase 3B of the Fraser Valley Highway 1 Corridor Improvement Program, which is backed by $2.65 billion in provincial funding, is expected to be finished by 2031, with two other major work contracts still left to be assigned.
