Work on the widening of the next stretch of Fraser Highway will begin in January.
The project will extend the four-lane width from the 22800 block to 235 Street, necessitating the reconstruction of the intersection at 232 Street.
The $5.9 million project is expected to take one year.
On Oct. 1, Township council approved a budgetary item to allow the widening to proceed. The Township’s share is $3.2 million. TransLink will pay the balance.
The existing junction of Fraser Highway and 44 Avenue, a block east of 232 Street interchange, will be closed.
Project engineer Duane Odenbach said that 44 Avenue will be re-aligned to meet Fraser Highway at a safer angle and will be located approximately 60 metres east of its current location.
Odenbach said that the Township won’t consider a roundabout at 232 Street and Fraser Highway because of property constraints.
The last phase of the widening, from the Langley border to the 21500 block of Fraser Highway, was completed in August.
According to Odenbach’s report to council, TransLink has indicated a willingness to provide almost $750,000 to fund the widening of Fraser Highway to 242 Street.
The Township has not earmarked funds for this section.