Long-delayed advisory traffic signs linked to the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor project were officially announced by the provincial government Thursday.
Six new signs – reduced from the nine originally planned – will be built at road and railway crossings near the rail overpasses built during the project.
Those overpasses include the Mufford-Glover overpass that connects the Willowbrook area to Milner, at 196th Street over Highway 10, and at 192nd Street in Surrey near 52nd Avenue.
The signs were intended to give drivers warning of trains when they were approaching often-congested at-grade crossings. Drivers could then alter their route and head for one of the overpasses.
“Intelligent by design, the advisory signs will operate through a central control system and will provide drivers with real-time train crossing information – indicating if the crossing is open or closed – so drivers can make informed decisions about their travel routes,” said a provincial ministry of transportation press release issued Thursday.
However, the signs were intended to be built as part of the original project.
“Boy, that was a long time coming,” said Langley City Mayor Ted Schaffer.
“It’s not what was originally unveiled, but we’re pleased its headed in the right direction,” he said.
Mayor Jack Froese of Langley Township said hopefully the signs will help drivers navigate around blocked rail crossings.
“We’ve been waiting a long time for this,” he said.
The Mufford overpass, one of the last built, was completed in 2014. The signs were apparently the victim of funding constraints.
The project is now being funded by the province, Transport Canada, and the Vancouver Port Authority, each contributing $300,000, and with $2.9 million from TransLink.
The total $3.8 million project is expected to be complete in December, 2018.
• Read More: Rail warning signs expected for the Langleys in 2018
• Read More: Rail overpass open at Mufford-Glover area in Langley