Increased traffic on the Mary Hill Bypass as a result of Highway 1 improvements has prompted the city of Port Coquitlam to call for a smoother flow on the provincial highway.
As part of the transportation minister's public consultation - dubbed "B.C. On the Move" - the municipality has asked for grade separations at the four lighted intersections along the 7B bypass: at Shaughnessy Street, Pitt River Road, Broadway Street and Kingsway Avenue.
Yesterday (Thursday), Mayor Greg Moore said the extra volume with the Highway 1 upgrade has brought additional congestion, especially at Shaughnessy where there are often backups during rush hour; however, Moore did not know what the separations would look like, if approved.
As well, PoCo noted its support for TransLink's 30-year vision and 10-year implementation strategy. But it has asked the provincial government to reverse its decision to require Metro Vancouver governments go through a referendum for new transportation funding. And PoCo council has asked for TransLink governance to be controlled by regional municipalities instead.
Last month, Minister Todd Stone launched his two-month public consultation to review transportation plans for the next decade. The replacement of the Massey Tunnel with a new bridge on Highway 99 between Delta and Richmond is expected to be one of the centerpiece projects of the new 10-year plan.
Stone will unveil the new document by the end of January.
To comment on the plan by the Dec. 12 deadline, go to engage.gov.bc.ca/transportationplan. A Twitter townhall on the topic will take place on Monday, Nov. 17 from 7 to 8 p.m.
- with files from Black Press reporter Jeff Nagel
