A new, seventh lane will be built on the Alex Fraser Bridge by spring 2018, announced Minister of Transportation Todd Stone Thursday.
The lane will be a counterflow lane for morning and evening rush hours. It is expected to save commuters 12 to 16 minutes during the evening and six minutes during the morning rush.
The federal and provincial governments are splitting the costs of the $70 million project.
The new lane will be added by slightly narrowing the six existing lanes and removing the shoulders.
Stone’s ministry said a moveable barrier will be added to allow four lanes of traffic northbound during the morning rush hour. It would then be repositioned to allow four lanes southbound for the afternoon rush hour where it will remain for the rest of the day.
“We are proud to partner with the Government of British Columbia on this project to ease traffic congestion on the Alex Fraser Bridge. This vital investment means less time on the roads and more time for families to spend together,” said Delta MP Carla Qualtrough.
The cable-stayed bridge was built 1986 and connects Richmond to Delta and Surrey, via Highway 91.
