UPDATE: An interchange of heart? Council poised to pass Highway 91 project
The Highway 91 interchange project would improve access to Fraser River Port.
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Updated: November 17, 2009 3:04 PM
A $26.9 million highway construction project that once seemed dead in the water appears to have been resuscitated.
The Highway 91 interchange project, which would see an on- and off-ramp added near the s-curve of the East West Connector at Nelson Road, is slated to go back before council Monday afternoon during a general purposes committee meeting.
Once in staunch opposition of the plan, Coun. Harold Steves said Monday morning that some compromises have been made that could convince council to cough up $2.13 million toward the proposal.
Aside from balking at making a precedent-setting move to assist senior governments on a project with questionable benefits to the entire city, Steves said the initial proposal also posed a serious negative impact on area farms.
The revised proposal has three major improvements, he said.
The interchange will no longer be built on valuable farmland, and the impact on area farms will be reduced by barring truck traffic on the stretch of Westminster Highway between Knight Street and Nelson Road.
To this end, Nelson Road traffic will be prevented from turning west on to Westminster Highway, and Westminster Highway traffic will be blocked from turning south onto Nelson Road.
As well, under the new proposal, the city will have to pitch in less money.
Staff are now recommending that council give their approval, proposing a $2.13 million contribution instead of Victoria's originally-requested $3 million.
Three weeks ago, after councillors rejected the proposal, Richmond East MLA Linda Reid urged the city to reconsider.
She argued the improved access the interchange would bring to Port Metro Vancouver would be a boost for the province's economy while it would also improve the safety of residents living along Westminster Highway.
To qualify for federal infrastructure stimulus money, the project must be completed by March 31, 2011.
