The upgrades at the intersection of Clarke Drive and Highway 99 have stretched traffic and the patience of locals used to a much easier access to Valleycliffe.
But locals will have to wait for at least two more months before things go back to being smooth again.
The new bridge for access to the west side of the highway will be complete by late March or April, according to Christina Moore, communications manager at the District of Squamish.
However, there will still be some work remaining on the east side of Clarke Drive.
That work is expected to be complete by late April or in early May.
That work includes improved bike and pedestrian infrastructure and re-alignment of Clarke Drive both north and south of the intersection.
Meanwhile all signal timing, including the left turn on to Clarke Drive from Highway 99, will be “optimized” as part of the upgrades.
The new changes mean the southbound traffic from Hospital Hill will now stop at the intersection of Clarke and Guilford before turning left or right.
A left-turn lane will be added from Clarke Drive towards Hospital Hill, and left-turning traffic will yield to oncoming traffic along Guilford Drive.
District says the changes will improve safety and are being made due to a higher volume of traffic travelling to and from Valleycliffe.
District had previously considered a roundabout at the intersection, but decided against it as it would require additional space and would involve building a large retaining wall .
District also plans to construct a three-metre wide, paved, multi-use path along lower Clarke Drive from Highway 99 to Guilford Drive to extend the existing Corridor Trail that connects to downtown.
This new patch of trail will fill a gap in the Corridor Trail between Valley Drive and Downtown, and will also connect to the new Waterfront Landing park and development on the west side of the highway.
This trail will be protected by a barrier and will include a crosswalk.
reckoning day says
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