BC Highway Construction

[Dengler Avenue]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

If there is it would not be until far into the future.

Many by-passes would take precedence over that projects (Peachland bypass, Vernon bypass, Kelowna 2nd link and bypass, even the east Kamloops bypass).

I think that the protected-Ts are a good idea for lower volume intersections on rural stretches of BC highways.

FYI, here is the Chase are highway upgrade:

• Video Link

It would be nice if they also twin the section between this project and Pritchard (it runs through the Native Reserve). That would make the highway 4 lanes from Chase all the way to Kamloops.

http://www.firstnations.de/development/secwepemc.htm

From the article, you can see that the first nation would want none of that.
Worst case scenario, the 4-laned Highway 1 would have to cross South Thompson River twice (although there's Kamloops-Shuswap Road to twin).

[240glt]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

If there is it would not be until far into the future.

Many by-passes would take precedence over that projects (Peachland bypass, Vernon bypass, Kelowna 2nd link and bypass, even the east Kamloops bypass).

I don't think east Kamloops needs a bypass, they just need to get rid of the intersections and run service roads down each side to a couple of actual interchanges. The only other viable option would be to run the highway over the North Thompson at around Monte Creek, and run along the north bank and connect up with Hwy 5 just east of the city.

They've been talking about a Vernon bypass on the north shore of Okanagan lake forever but that will never happen. The plan that makes the most sense is to flyover Polson Park and run 27th ave westbound and 32nd ave eastbound. I think a lot of businesses in Vernon would suffer if they bypassed the city altogether

Something definitely needs to be done about Kelowna at some point

[dmuzika]

Originally Posted by 240glt

I don't think east Kamloops needs a bypass, they just need to get rid of the intersections and run service roads down each side to a couple of actual interchanges. The only other viable option would be to run the highway over the North South Thompson at around Monte Creek, and run along the north bank and connect up with Hwy 5 just east of the city.

They've been talking about a Vernon bypass on the north shore of Okanagan lake forever but that will never happen. The plan that makes the most sense is to flyover Polson Park and run 27th ave westbound and 32nd ave eastbound. I think a lot of businesses in Vernon would suffer if they bypassed the city altogether

Something definitely needs to be done about Kelowna at some point

Crossing the South Thompson would put the highway through the Kamloops First Nation, which might be problematic. Saying that, some of the interchanges along I-84 east of Portland have some of the similar restraints as the TCH in Valleyview (east Kamloops) in terms of proximity to the railway. Maybe something like this could be constructed?

Does anyone have an update on the Central Okanagan Multi-modal Corridor? It proposed a free-flow bypass through Kelowna (see https://www.kelowna.ca/sites/files/1...s-ultimate.pdf) but nothing been built.

[240glt]

Originally Posted by dmuzika

Crossing the South Thompson would put the highway through the Kamloops First Nation, which might be problematic. Saying that, some of the interchanges along I-84 east of Portland have some of the similar restraints as the TCH in Valleyview (east Kamloops) in terms of proximity to the railway. Maybe something like this could be constructed?

That could work, I think the overpass at Lafarge road already looks a little like that doesn't it ?

They just need to get rid of those lights somehow.

Does anyone have an update on the Central Okanagan Multi-modal Corridor? It proposed a free-flow bypass through Kelowna (see https://www.kelowna.ca/sites/files/1...s-ultimate.pdf) but nothing been built.

Odd that it would just end on Spall road, you'd still have the congestion from that point to the lake to deal with. I thought that route was going to follow Glenmore Road (which was always my quick back-route to Kelowna)

They were talking about that Westside bypass that would bypass both Kelowna and Vernon but you'll never that happen either due to the Okanagan band lands over there

[DKaz]

Originally Posted by 240glt

Odd that it would just end on Spall road, you'd still have the congestion from that point to the lake to deal with. I thought that route was going to follow Glenmore Road (which was always my quick back-route to Kelowna)

They were talking about that Westside bypass that would bypass both Kelowna and Vernon but you'll never that happen either due to the Okanagan band lands over there

Because it connects to Clement Ave which would ultimately be upgraded to freeway standards and connect to a second crossing. The second crossing timeline I constantly hear is 20 years though, but congestion is certainly not going to get better with West Kelowna, the second largest city in the Okanagan, continuing to grow at a rapid pace.

Ultimate interchange at Spall Rd found in https://www.kelowna.ca/sites/files/1..._phasetwo.pdf:

[Metro-One]

Originally Posted by Dengler Avenue

http://www.firstnations.de/development/secwepemc.htm

From the article, you can see that the first nation would want none of that.
Worst case scenario, the 4-laned Highway 1 would have to cross South Thompson River twice (although there's Kamloops-Shuswap Road to twin).

Never going to happen, haha

The provincial government is currently in negotiations regarding this stretch of highway (it is listed as part of the project). The fly through video is just of phase one (start 2018 complete 2019) and phase two (start 2020 complete 2023). The section through the native reserve will be phase three.

Several highway twinning projects and interchange projects have recently been built in native reserves, don't see why this band wouldn't also want enhance safety and connectivity for their community / land (especially when they are often given land in return).

Heck, just west of here the Pritchard Interchange was built largely due to pressure from the local native band because they didn't approve of the original proposed at grade intersection in that twinning project.

Even more interesting a native group in metro-Vancouver is actually supplying 3 million dollars to help with the funding of a new major interchange at Sunbury / 17 / 91.

[DKaz]

Same with the interchanges west of the W.R. Bennett Bridge on Westbank First Nation land. I didn't know Westbank First Nation managed the construction of the Campbell Road interchange.

https://archive.news.gov.bc.ca/relea...023-000722.htm

[dmuzika]

Originally Posted by 240glt

That could work, I think the overpass at Lafarge road already looks a little like that doesn't it ?

They just need to get rid of those lights somehow.

Slightly different. With Lafarge Road, the highway dips away from the railway and Lafarge has all at-grade rail crossings (more room than in Valleyview), while the I-86 / Corbett Hill Road has a + shaped bridge where the ramps are elevated over the railway. I guess the one question is if CP would allow that constructed in their ROW?

I don't know how urgent removing the lights in Kamloops is at this point (definitely should be a long-term objective), but I think that at the very least, a jersey barrier should be added to separate the EB and WB lanes.

Then there is always the Valleyview Bypass which runs along the bluffs...

[Dengler Avenue]

Originally Posted by dmuzika

Slightly different. With Lafarge Road, the highway dips away from the railway and Lafarge has all at-grade rail crossings (more room than in Valleyview), while the I-86 / Corbett Hill Road has a + shaped bridge where the ramps are elevated over the railway. I guess the one question is if CP would allow that constructed in their ROW?

I don't know how urgent removing the lights in Kamloops is at this point (definitely should be a long-term objective), but I think that at the very least, a jersey barrier should be added to separate the EB and WB lanes.

Then there is always the Valleyview Bypass which runs along the bluffs...

There seems so little room, though, that in order to remove the lights, some intersections just have to be closed.

[240glt]

Originally Posted by dmuzika

Slightly different. With Lafarge Road, the highway dips away from the railway and Lafarge has all at-grade rail crossings (more room than in Valleyview), while the I-86 / Corbett Hill Road has a + shaped bridge where the ramps are elevated over the railway. I guess the one question is if CP would allow that constructed in their ROW?

I don't know how urgent removing the lights in Kamloops is at this point (definitely should be a long-term objective), but I think that at the very least, a jersey barrier should be added to separate the EB and WB lanes.

Then there is always the Valleyview Bypass which runs along the bluffs...

The lights are only a real hassle when it's super busy through the summer, but The last few times we've driven down to Vernon in the summer it's been really slow

I've driven through there lots in non-peak time and have hit all greens. I guess it's just how much of a priority is it. But I tell you, if we take the TCH to our place at Bridge Lake next summer instead of the Yellowhead I'll take the Adams Lake shortcut that pops you out at Barriere. Between the lights east of Kamloops and the ones on 5 leaving town getting through there in the peak of summer is a pain

[Metro-One]

Originally Posted by 240glt

The lights are only a real hassle when it's super busy through the summer, but The last few times we've driven down to Vernon in the summer it's been really slow

I've driven through there lots in non-peak time and have hit all greens. I guess it's just how much of a priority is it. But I tell you, if we take the TCH to our place at Bridge Lake next summer instead of the Yellowhead I'll take the Adams Lake shortcut that pops you out at Barriere. Between the lights east of Kamloops and the ones on 5 leaving town getting through there in the peak of summer is a pain

I would love for those lights to be removed.

There are 7 at grade intersections there.

3 diamond interchanges (or even 2) could remove all of them. The road is already 4 lanes through there. If done the Trans Canada (with the Chase upgrades) would essentially become free flow from east of Chase all the way to the coast.

I swear those lights irk my OCD in that we essentially have a large near freeway stretch disconnected by the full freeway by only a couple KMs of lights.

[240glt]

^ I think the frustrating part is that many of those intersections have relatively little cross traffic, so basically the whole highway comes to a halt for two or three cars be able to turn onto the highway. Even if they cut the # of lights in half it would be a huge improvement

[kev_427]

Dug up a few concepts from back in 2000 from http://web.archive.org/web/200012150...s/ccr/maps.htm

bypass option



Comazzetto overpass



Thompson overpass



Highland interchange original



Highland interchange improved

[Metro-One]

I am so tired of all these studies, why not just build it? Especially back in 2000. Would have been done a decade ago for a much lower cost then it is today and will be in the future when it finally happens.

The upgrade of the existing highway seems like the better option.

[flipper316]

This is BC as you know. Studies upon studies have to be done every 5 years. Until the project gets built or most likely cancelled. Gotta cater to the liberals, NIMBYS , feminists, you name it. Then of course we can't displace some abundant beetle population with the construction.

[flipper316]

Another deadly crash through that stretch. What a joke of a national highway.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/britis...-b-c-1.4466465

[Dengler Avenue]

Originally Posted by flipper316

Another deadly crash through that stretch. What a joke of a national highway.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/britis...-b-c-1.4466465

Sad to hear... Ontario Highway 17’s like that too. Tbh, though, when the segments in BC and in ON just happen to be among ugly terrains, delays are inevitable.

The provincial governments should know that they’re really working around the clock with widening TCH though.

[dmuzika]

Originally Posted by flipper316

Another deadly crash through that stretch. What a joke of a national highway.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/britis...-b-c-1.4466465

Especially between the nation's 3rd and 4th largest metropolitan areas.

[Dengler Avenue]

It's 2018. Many of the constructions to twin Highway 1 should begin this year. Any news yet?

[the.tru.albertan]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

I am so tired of all these studies, why not just build it?

Because we have a broken and expensive healthcare system to pay for first.