Province finally noticing critical Alex Fraser Bridge issues



The Alex Fraser Bridge is under more pressure each day, due to growth in the South Fraser region and the province's tolling policies


Last week’s announcement of a new interchange at Highway 91 and 72 Avenue in North Delta shows that the provincial government is finally aware of at least some of the critical issues related to the Alex Fraser Bridge.
Transportation Minister Todd Stone and Delta Mayor Lois Jackson announced the plans to turn the intersection into an interchange on Wednesday, June 8. The $30 million project will be completed by the fall of 2018.
The Highway 91/72 Avenue intersection has been controlled by a traffic light since the bridge opened in 1986. The intersection has long caused significant traffic delays, particularly for northbound traffic, because of the ever-increasing volumes of traffic on Highway 91. Since the bridge opened, North Delta’s population has grown significantly, and Surrey’s has grown even more substantially. Much of the growth in Surrey has come in areas that are not far from the bridge.
The province is also looking into whether the bridge can  be expanded to add a seventh lane, which would be used as a counterflow, as happens in the George Massey Tunnel and on the Lions Gate Bridge.
The Alex Fraser Bridge has assumed much more importance in the flow of traffic to and from the south side of the Fraser River since the new Port Mann Bridge opened. With the imposition of tolls, many drivers have been seeking other alternatives.
The aging Pattullo Bridge, which cannot handle the strain, is getting some of the former Port Mann traffic. However, it is frequently the subject of lane closures or complete shutdowns, as it badly needs repairs just to stay open a few more years. A new Pattullo Bridge has been talked about a lot, but nothing has happened – and if it ever is built, it too will be a toll bridge.
Meanwhile, the Alex Fraser, with better access routes and no traffic lights along Highway 91 (except at 72 Avenue) has received much traffic that could potentially use the Port Mann. It is congested during every rush hour. It has a significant amount of truck traffic. Annacis Island, an industrial area, has been seeing more and more drivers “rat running” in an attempt to get onto the bridge a bit sooner.
The pressure on the Alex Fraser will build even more if the province goes ahead with a tolled Deas Island  bridge to replace the George Massey tunnel. Many drivers from South Surrey and White Rock, and even further afield, use the tunnel, which also has congestion issues. If a tolled Deas Island bridge is opened, some will likely switch to the Alex Fraser, adding even more congestion.
It’s hard to know what the province’s tolling policy really is. It has long claimed that it would only toll bridges when there are clear free alternatives. It claimed the Pattullo was the free alternative to the tolled Port Mann. The other tolled bridge, the Golden Ears, is operated by TransLink, and replaced a free ferry. The only real alternative to it is the Port Mann.
If tolled Deas Island and Pattullo replacements are built, there will be enormous pressure on the Alex Fraser. It will be the lone free river crossing between the mouth of the Fraser River and Mission.
Stone has said the province will look at its tolling policy. When is that going to happen?
It appears that the actual policy of the province, given its various bridge and transportation announcements, is to force South Fraser residents to pay tolls, no matter what. Meanwhile, Vancouver, North Shore and Richmond residents continue to use expensive highway projects like the Sea to Sky Highway for free, and pay no tolls when crossing bridges – unless they happen to come to the South Fraser region.
There are occasional murmurs about looking into a comprehensive road pricing policy for the region, but very little in the way of concrete action.
Stone also announced that there will be more tow trucks on duty during the morning and evening rush hours on the Alex Fraser. Crashes will be cleared away more quickly.
The public is invited to an open house about the interchange project at Highway 91 and 72 Avenue on Thursday, June 23, from 3:30 to 8 p.m. at the North Delta Rec Centre, 11415 84 Ave. Those who attend should ask pointed questions about provincial tolling policy, in addition to questions about the interchange project.
Delta also needs to look at ways that traffic on 72 Avenue could flow more quickly, given the plans for the new interchange. Perhaps the road needs to be widened, or speed limits increased. It could work with the school district to determine if Heath Elementary needs to stay in its current location, as the school’s location impedes smooth-flowing traffic.

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