Langley residents can expect months of disruption while the bridge over the Nicomekl River is replaced.

There are few east-west routes between Langley City and Murrayville and beyond, and with the closure of Fraser Highway at Langley Bypass, traffic on one detour route will pass Langley Secondary School.

The board of education wants some assurance that not only will students, staff and parents be safe as they come and go to school, traffic will not impede the ability of emergency vehicles to reach the school.

Langley Secondary is at 21405 56 Ave., and 56 Avenue is expected to carry a significant load of detour traffic once the bridge work closes Fraser Highway east of Langley. The other route is 48 Avenue.

The closure is expected to last for several months.

At the board of education’s meeting on Tuesday, Trustee Steve Burton asked that school district staff confer with the Township to see what measures will be taken to ensure the safety of the school population.

Noting that there are 1,150 students at LSS, Burton commented in a later interview: “Has anyone planned for it (an emergency)?”

Paul Cordeiro, the Township’s transportation manager, said that traffic lights at 213 Street and 56 Avenue (between Langley Secondary and Christian Life Assembly), will ease congestion.

Bus stops have been improved and a crosswalk midway between 213 and 216 Streets has been moved to the intersection.

Another concern along 56 Avenue is the bridge west of the church.

It underwent repairs to extend its “useful life” several years ago, Cordeiro said, adding that while it will still need to be replaced, “it will be fine for the next three or four years.”

It will not be an issue with the extra volume of traffic, Cordeiro said.

“The ability of the bridge to carry traffic is based on loads, not volume,” he said.

He said that at some point, the Township and City engineers will discuss concerns with the school district.