Construction is starting on phases two and four of the Lower Lynn Improvement Project that will significantly shorten commute times and improve safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists on the North Shore.
“I am very pleased to see the significant progress that has been made toward improving transportation on the North Shore through the Lower Lynn Improvement Project,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, federal Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, on behalf of François-Philippe Champagne, federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “Our government understands the importance of having reliable road networks that allow people and goods to reach their destinations safely and efficiently. Improvements to this vital transportation route will benefit North Shore residents, visitors and businesses by decreasing travel times and improving safety along Highway 1 and the Lower Lynn Interchanges.”
“Congestion on the North Shore is a real problem. I know people living and working on the North Shore are keen to see infrastructure investments that will address bottlenecks near the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge,” said Claire Trevena, B.C.’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “This significant overhaul of the Lower Lynn transportation networks should offer relief to commuters.”
These two of four phases of the Lower Lynn project will reduce congestion and result in safer, faster commutes for the 120,000 people travelling to and from the North Shore daily, especially during peak times. Once complete, Highway 1 travel during peak times will be reduced by at least nine minutes in the eastbound direction and four minutes in the westbound direction between the top of the cut to mid-span Ironworkers Memorial Bridge. The new roadwork will create safer merge lanes and reduce the risk of accidents in the area by one-third.
The project will deliver:
- two new bridges on both sides of the existing four-lane Lynn Creek Bridge;
- a new Mountain Highway eastbound on-ramp;
- a new five-lane Keith Road overpass over Highway 1;
- a new illuminated tunnel for safer pedestrian and cycling crossings;
- enhancements to improve fish and wildlife habitat at Keith Creek;
- two new westbound lanes connecting Mount Seymour Parkway and Mountain Highway;
- upgrades to the Mount Seymour Parkway westbound off-ramp; and
- 3.4 kilometres of new roadway bike paths, sidewalks and multi-use pathways.
Funding for all four phases of the Lower Lynn Project is being provided by the Province of B.C. ($76.7 million), the Government of Canada ($66.6 million) and the District of North Vancouver ($54.7 million), a total investment of $198 million.
Quotes:
Bowinn Ma, MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale –
“The issue of transportation on the North Shore has been impacting residents, commuters and businesses for too long. People are tired of being stuck behind the wheel, leaving less time for family and friends. Through this project and the work of the Integrated North Shore Transportation Planning Project, I am committed to helping get the region moving again.”
Terry Beech, Member of Parliament for Burnaby North-Seymour –
“Investing in North Vancouver’s transportation networks is vital to ensuring residents can get where they need to go safely and efficiently. Our government is proud to support the Lower Lynn project, which will improve travel times along this busy corridor, while reducing gridlock and the harmful emissions that come with it.”
Mike Little, mayor, District of North Vancouver –
“Our community relies heavily on our highway system to get to work, school and home to our families. This project will be key to shortening those commute times and making them safer for everyone on the road. The district is pleased to support this crucial project and to continue working with all levels of government on relieving congestion across the North Shore.”
Don Piercy, North Shore committee chair, HUB Cycling –
“This project will make it easier and safer to get around by bike in this busy area of North Vancouver. We look forward to new protected paths and cycling connections that will support active and healthy transportation and lower our community’s carbon footprint. The provincial government included HUB Cycling in the planning of the cycling facilities in this project, and we value the opportunity to provide input based on our local user experience.”
Learn More:
Highway 1 – Lower Lynn Improvements:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/transportation-infrastructure/projects/highway-1-lower-lynn-improvements
Clean BC: https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/