NORTH DELTA — Concrete median barriers will be installed on a deadly stretch of Highway 10 in Delta.
Work to upgrade the highway, near Scott Road, will begin at the end of July as part of "B.C. on the Move," the province’s 10-year transportation plan.
Announced Friday (July 24), the project will include widening the highway to install 600 metres of median barrier between Scott Road and Highway 91, to help prevent head-on collisions and other crossover incidents.
Imperial Paving Limited of Surrey will do the work on the $2.15-million project, targeted for completion this fall.
Last October, high school sweethearts Chantal MacLean and Cody Kehler were killed in a five-car crash on the stretch of highway. The Clayton Heights Secondary students were on their way to a Thanksgiving dinner when their vehicle lost control on a curve and went into oncoming traffic. Both died in the impact.
The stretch of Highway 10, between Scott Road and Highway 91, carries 30,000 vehicles a day.
“Safety is the top priority for my ministry, and I know that installing concrete median barriers along this stretch of Highway 10 is a priority for the community, so I’m very pleased to see work begin on this important project," stated Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
Added Scott Hamilton, Delta North MLA: "Highway 10 serves as a vital connector for residents, commuters and commercial drivers, and provides a link to key destinations like the Vancouver International Airport, U.S. border and BC Ferries. This project shows we’re committed to improving the safety of this route.â€
tom.zillich@thenownewspaper.com