Drivers who travel an often-congested part of Lougheed Highway in Port Coquitlam could see some relief in the next five years.
This week, the city outlined its plans to six-lane the highway between Shaughnessy and Westwood streets — and replace the aging bridge over the Coquitlam River — to ease traffic congestion.
If approved, the work, budgeted to cost $32.1 million, would tie into TransLink’s new Lougheed B-Line bus route; that service, which will transport rapid-transit riders from Maple Ridge to Coquitlam Central station, starts next year.
Melony Burton, PoCo’s manager of infrastructure planning, told committee of council yesterday (Tuesday) the Shaughnessy-to-Westwood stretch of Lougheed is over capacity by about 25,000 cars a day.
And it has become a pinch point during rush hour, with heavy volumes cited as a key factor in collisions: From 2013 to ’17, there were 1,131 motor vehicle crashes along the corridor, 19 of them involving cyclists and pedestrians.
Widening the road to six lanes — plus multi-use paths on each side — isn’t expected to involve major land acquisitions, Burton told the committee; although the landscaped centre median will be removed.
As for the bridge, it’s in dire need of replacement, Burton said. The eastbound, steel side is 70 years old while the westbound concrete span is 45 years old; neither bridge could withstand a major earthquake.
During construction — roadwork is scheduled for 2022, bridge replacement the following year — four lanes will be open for traffic, said Forrest Smith, PoCo’s engineering and public works director.
Six-laning that stretch is in the city’s 2013 Master Transportation Plan and, for the past two years, city staff have monitored the bridge for its condition and future needs, and made updates to improve safety levels.
Now, they’ll consult with affected property owners and TransLink, ICBC and senior governments about the road and bridge designs and funding.
While councillors agreed the bridge needs to go, they also worried about the widening and moving the choke point further along Lougheed.
“I think it’s going to be a traffic nightmare,” Coun. Steve Darling said.
“We have got to fix this bridge,” Coun. Laura Dupont added. “I’m nervous to keep increasing roads and bridges to put more cars on the road.”
Coun. Darrell Penner, who chaired Tuesday’s committee meeting, said he hopes senior governments step up to help with the construction costs.
“At 55,000 trips a day, clearly that isn’t all us,” he said.
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PROPOSED B-LINE STOPS ALONG LOUGHEED
From Coquitlam, through Port Coquitlam, to Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge:
• Coquitlam Central Station
• Westwood Street
• Shaughnessy Street
• Ottawa Street
• Harris Road
• Meadowtown (future stop)
• 203 Street
• Laity Street
• 222 Street
• Haney Place
