South Fraser Perimeter Road Planning and Preliminary Design Study

For current information, please visit www.gatewayprogram.bc.ca

The South Fraser Perimeter Road (SFPR) is a potential new transportation route running generally in an east-west direction along the south side of the Fraser River, from Highway 1 near Port Kells in Surrey/Langley to Deltaport Way in South Delta. It would provide an efficient new route for commuters and travelers wishing to access the borders and ferries, and would provide a connection with Highways 1 (via 176th Street), 15, 91, 99, and 17, as well as the future New Fraser River Crossing. It would also improve access to industrial developments including Tilbury Industrial Park (Delta), Fraser Surrey Docks (Surrey), Bridgeview industrial area (Surrey), CN Rail inter-modal yard (Surrey), and the Port Kells industrial area (Surrey/Langley).

Proposed as an intersection-free four-lane route with an 80km/hour speed limit, the South Fraser Perimeter Road would redirect regional traffic away from residential roads (such as River Road), improving the quality of life in neighbouring communities

Study Summary

The following is excerpted from the Executive Summary of the South Fraser Perimeter Road Planning and Preliminary Design Study, prepared in February 2001 by Associated Engineering for the BC Ministry of Transportation, in partnership with TransLink, the City of Surrey and the Corporation of Delta. Please note that this study only examined the portion of the South Fraser Perimeter Road between 176th Avenue (Hwy. 15) in Surrey and Highway 91 in north Delta.

Introduction

Terms of Reference

The goal of the SFPR Planning and Preliminary Design Study, as defined in the Ministry of Transportation’s (MoT) Terms of Reference, is to "determine the most viable alignment for the corridor between Highway 91 and Highway 15 for a high standard (80 km/h) four lane facility with accesses restricted to appropriately spaced and located signalized intersections which in the long term are proposed to be converted to interchanges".

Approach and Methodology

Background

To achieve the goal and objectives of the SFPR Planning and Preliminary Design Study, separate phases were undertaken for planning and preliminary design. For both phases, the approach and methodology stressed participation of representatives of MoT and the major stakeholders. The methodology incorporated tasks to ensure consideration of previous work completed by others along the alignment. In conjunction with the Study, the MoT completed an environmental and social impact assessment.

Planning Phase

The Planning Phase of the Study focused on development of base mapping and alignments, identification of project issues, formulation of a corridor model, involvement of stakeholders, and development, analysis, and selection of options. Using Multiple Account Evaluation, this Phase of the Study concluded with a preferred option that would form the basis for completion of preliminary design and development of preliminary right-of-way definition.
The Planning Phase is documented in the Associated Engineering report entitled "South Fraser Perimeter Road, Planning and Preliminary Design Study, Volume 1 – Planning Report", February, 2001.

Preliminary Design Phase

The SFPR was divided into five sections as follows:

• Connection to Highway 91 Interchange at the western terminal,
  
• The Delta Section from the Alex Fraser Bridge to the Delta/Surrey border,
  
• The South Westminster, Bridgeview, and Port Mann Section from the Delta/Surrey border to 112B Avenue east of the Port Mann Bridge,
  
• The Fraser Heights Section from 112B Avenue to 176th Street, and
  
• Connection to Highway 1/15 at the eastern terminal.

The Preliminary Design Phase focused on resolution of the outstanding issues, finalization of the design criteria document, development of the preliminary design including development of construction strategies (to deliver the full scope SFPR), preparation of updated cost estimates, and continued involvement of stakeholders. The Preliminary Design Phase also assessed options for staged delivery of portions of the SFPR to reduce the capital cost on initial delivery. Combined with the planning study and environmental and social impact assessment study results, the preliminary design would form the basis for a submission of an Application under the BC Environmental Assessment Act (BCEAA) to the Environmental Assessment Office, should the project proceed.

At this time, no decision has been made to proceed with an application for environmental approval under BCEAA or for engineering, property acquisition, and construction to deliver the project.

Cost Estimate

A preliminary design cost estimate for the full scope SFPR has been prepared utilizing the cost estimating methodology proven to be effective on the Vancouver Island Highway Project. The methodology is all inclusive of construction, land, engineering and project management costs. Appropriate contingencies for these items are also included. The estimate does not include interest during construction (IDC) as no delivery schedule has been advanced and does not include costs to migrate to a freeway.

The overall SFPR cost can be summarized in Yr. 2001 dollars as follows:

• Estimate to complete: $379 million
  
• Costs expended to date by the Province of BC, the city of Surrey and others: $22 million
  
• Total SFPR cost: $401 million

This is lower than the SFPR Planning Phase cost estimate completed in February 2001 which reported a total cost of $407 million in Yr. 2000 dollars.

To inquire about the South Fraser Perimeter Road project,
please call the public information line at 604.456.2420.

Municipal Road Networks in Delta and Surrey

The planning and preliminary design of the South Fraser Perimeter Road was completed with the cooperation of Delta and Surrey. For further information about issues on local road networks in Delta and Surrey, the province encourages you to contact the City of Delta and the City of Surrey.

• www.corp.delta.bc.ca

• www.city.surrey.bc.ca

Status Update

The Ministry is currently working with the working with the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority (GVTA), Delta and Surrey to assess the existing highway network, the SFPR, and the necessary linkages to key activity centres in the area. This project is also being reviewed under the Ministry’s Gateway Program to ensure the appropriate sequencing and funding of potential projects.

The Ministry is updating some study data and reviewing the need for any additional information in the reports. Additionally, the Ministry is undertaking initial consultations with the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office (EAO), in a ‘pre-application’ process. The EAO encourages pre-application discussions to take place before a project concept is fully developed. Additional documents related to the SFPR are available on the EAO website at http://www.eao.gov.bc.ca/epic/output/html/deploy/epic_project_home_196.html.

If and when the project is confirmed, the provincial government would proceed with the preparation of a formal application under the B.C. Environmental Assessment Act.

Environmental Assessment Process

The B.C. Environmental Assessment Process is a formal process for reviewing proposed large-scale projects before they can receive approval to proceed. With respect to road projects, generally, the following takes place:

• A firm commitment is made on funding by the appropriate funding partners
  
• The Ministry of Transportation and Highways submits an application that identifies the scope of the project and potential environmental and social effects
  
• The application also identifies potential environmental mitigation based on environmental studies undertaken by environmental specialists
  
• The B.C. Environmental Assessment Office establishes a committee to review the application and to determine whether all issues have been identified and addressed
  
• The Environmental Assessment process also requires public consultation and First Nations involvement
  
• If the study has addressed all the issues to the satisfaction of the committee, the committee then provides recommendation to the responsible ministers for decision
  
• The conclusion of the process results in a Project Approval Certificate, which allows a study to proceed to the next stage.

For more information on this process, please refer to the B.C. Environment Assessment Office at:

www.eao.gov.bc.ca