Re: Inconvenient, dangerous and wasteful design of the Highway 17 (South Fraser Perimeter Road –SFPR) and 91 Connector intersection.
Being a resident of North Delta, I often experience the inconvenience of the poor design of the diversion of traffic travelling east or west on River Road. For example, if wanting to travel west on River Road, one has to divert to Nordel Way, then to the 91 Connector, then 96 Street, and then finally River Road again.
Now the problem is that the traffic is funnelled to 91 Connector from River Road, Nordel Way (both directions) and Alex Fraser Bridge to proceed west toward the Tsawwassen ferry and Ladner, either via River Road or through SFPR. Problematic is the intersection of 91 Connector and Highway 17. This intersection slows the traffic in all directions. This is a big inconvenience and a clogging point for motorists travelling in all directions.
I am wondering what the planners were thinking when they drew this project on paper and finalized it. Another thing which is difficult to understand is why River Road has been closed in the 9924-block, thus compounding the problem.
If one has to access 9925 River Road, then one has to take a loop of a couple of kilometres and endure five busy intersection lights, including the notorious one of 91 Connector and Highway 17.
Even if you simply want to continue on River Road in either direction, one has to take the above-mentioned loop. This adds time, inconvenience and frustration.
Here comes the dangerous part of this poor planning. When you are turning right from the 91 Connector to Highway 17 towards Hope, the slope of the road is contrary to accommodate the pull of the centrifugal force, thus causing the vehicle to tip over, especially big trucks. Adding insult to injury is that this right turn is particularly sharp. An almost identical hazard is present if big rigs are making a left turn from 91 Connector to Highway 17 towards Tsawwassen.
This was a massive waste of money in terms of poor planning and lack of knowledge of the needs of the local residents and motorists in general by the Ministry of Transportation. Something needs to be done to address and correct this traffic nightmare.
Kalwant Singh Sahota, Delta