Road widening construction on the Highway 7 corridor in east Maple Ridge remains on budget and on time, according to the Ministry of Transportation and Transit.
The project, which involves a four kilometre stretch of Highway 7 from 266 Street to 287 Street is being widened from an undivided two-lane road, to four lanes, is still on track to be fully completed by the late fall of this year.
Work began in November 2022, and it is expected to cost $106 million.
The ministry is currently working to relocate major utility infrastructure to make way for the widening, explained ministry spokesperson Murray Sinclair.
"This summer, work will focus on culvert activity under the highway to prepare for the widening in fall 2025," said Sinclair.
The work also includes accommodating two major creeks in the area: Whonnock and York. Crews, noted Sinclair, are extending the York Creek steel pipe, and replacing the existing Whonnock Creek culverts, in addition to other environmental and drainage work.
A split-grade wall has been built just west of 280 Street to separate the westbound and eastbound traffic. The wall was necessary because the highway is constrained by a hydro transmission tower to the north and the CPKC Rail right-of-way on the south, said the spokesperson.
Embossed on the wall are symbols designed by the Kwantlen First Nation to symbolize the relationship with the lands. The title of the art is called "We Raise Our Hands."
The ministry is not anticipating any significant traffic delays or disruptions to the public along the stretch of road during the summer months.
"When work is underway, the highway will remain open, one lane in each direction."