Frequently Asked Questions

Q:    What is the purpose of the project?
A:    The purpose of the project is to improve safety and provide better access to key amenities and the surrounding community.  At the same time, it will better accommodate cyclists, pedestrians, ride-share participants, and future transit plans.

Q:    Do we really need a new interchange? 
A:    Abbotsford is one of the fastest growing communities in British Columbia and the increase in traffic exceeds the current capacity of the interchange (built in 1960), causing significant congestion, delays and traffic queuing during peak travel periods which contribute to the average 75 crashes a year at this location.  As a result, the local community has long expressed its wishes and concerns regarding this area, and has stated a preference that the improvements be carried out sooner rather than later.

Q:    Doesn’t this encourage more traffic/single-occupant vehicles when we’re supposed to be ‘going green’?
A:    The interchange project will enhance opportunities for ride-share and accommodate plans for future transit expansion.  It will also better accommodate cyclists and pedestrians, as well as improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and result in more efficient energy use due to travel time savings and a reduction of idling / stop-and-go traffic.  There may also be a reduction in the noise caused by stop-and-go traffic.

Q:    What is being done to ensure the safety of pedestrians and cyclists?
A:    With the help of input received in recent consultations, the interchange is being designed to accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists of all skill levels by including the following features:

  • Marked bicycle lanes on McCallum Road north and south of the interchange
  • Clearly-marked crosswalks at the roundabouts that will function like those on
    the turning lanes at Marshall Road and McCallum Road, where travelling speeds
    are similar
  • An additional pedestrian crossing at Lynn Avenue
  • Options for cyclists, who will be able to choose between:
    • Wide (2.5 metres) barrier-protected cyclist/pedestrian pathways on both
      sides of the bridge (similar to arrangements in numerous locations on the Lower Mainland)
    • Extra-wide curb lanes on both the bridge and the roundabouts, designed for shared use of the roadway by vehicles and cyclists (a more likely choice for the confident advanced cyclist)

Q:    How will private property be affected?
A:    Efforts are being made to avoid and mitigate local property impacts.  Existing noise levels will be measured, future noise levels resulting from the new design will be assessed, and noise reduction strategies will be applied where warranted by the Ministry’s noise policy.
 
Q:    What is going to happen to the roads or on- and off-ramps that are no longer needed?
A:    Any portions of road that are no longer needed for the interchange will be reclaimed by removing the asphalt and re-planting the area with grass seed.

Q:    What is going to happen to all of the vacant land in the corners of the interchange?
A:    Any land no longer required to accommodate roads or on- and off-ramps will remain the property of the Province.  The Province currently has no plans to dispose of any land rendered surplus through the re-construction of the interchange.  A park-and-ride in the form of a paved parking lot is being contemplated for the southeast quadrant of the interchange.

Q:    What is the cost of the project?
A:    Approximately $25 million, depending on final design.  The project will be cost shared between the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and the federal government (up to $16.6 million) with the remainder funded by the City of Abbotsford through development cost charges.

Q:    When will it be built?
A:    Detailed design will be completed in early 2010, to be followed by the tender period.  Construction is scheduled to run from Spring 2010 to Spring 2011.

Q:    How will traffic be handled during construction?
A:    The City will work with stakeholders regarding traffic management and construction phasing.  Efforts will be made to minimize impacts to local and seasonal tourist traffic.

Q:    How much opportunity is being provided for public input?
A:    Consultations have been undertaken with the municipality at both the staff and Council level and with other stakeholders, including Central Heights Church, Matsqui Institution, Abbotsford Regional Hospital, Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre, and the University of the Fraser Valley.  The October 2009 public open house received input for consideration in detailed design and in the development of construction traffic management plans. 

Q:    Will there be an opportunity for the public to view plans before construction?
A:    Final designs will be displayed on the project website at www.McCallumInterchange.ca.  Construction plans, including traffic delay/detour notifications, will also be posted.

Q:    Can future LRT or other rapid transit modes be accommodated?
A:    To encourage alternatives to the single-occupant vehicle, the project will provide a park-and-ride facility and support active modes such as cycling and walking, while retaining flexibility to accommodate rapid transit in the future. 

Q:    Why does the design concept contain roundabouts?  They are uncommon in British Columbia.
A:    Roundabouts give better continuous traffic flow than signals do, thereby reducing idling and lowering emissions.  They also experience a lower frequency and severity of collisions.  Because of these advantages, they are becoming more common in British Columbia and elsewhere in North America.  More information on roundabouts is on the Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure website (www.gov.bc.ca/tran).

Q:    What's happening with the Clearbrook Road interchange re-construction?
A:    The City of Abbotsford, Government of British Columbia and the Government of Canada recently announced $25 million worth of improvements to the Clearbrook Road Interchange.  Details regarding the timing of the work and the type of design are available at www.ClearbrookInterchange.ca, or by contacting the Abbotsford Engineering Department at (604) 864-5514 or eng-info@abbotsford.ca.