Safety improvements have been largely completed at one of the most dangerous collision sites in Vancouver.
Work was done at the intersection and off-ramp at Knight Street and Southeast Marine Drive.
Aside from improving safety, it’s meant to improve the movement of goods.
The northbound off-ramp has fully reopened to all traffic, according to a press release from the City of Vancouver.
Between 2011 and 2015, there were 1,156 collisions recorded at Knight Street and the Knight Street Bridge, Southeast Marine Drive and the off-ramp and the on-ramp, according to statistics from ICBC. In 2016, there were 327.
“This is the highest vehicle-to-vehicle collision location in Vancouver, which is why I’m so pleased that we have completed these critical upgrades,” Mayor Gregor Robertson was quoted as saying in the release. “The changes will improve safety at this intersection, helping us move closer to our target of achieving zero traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries from our street network. The upgrades will also enhance vehicle connectivity, which will improve traffic flow, benefit goods movement, and reduce the impacts of trucks on minor streets.”
Improvements include:
- An additional vehicle lane and reconfigured traffic signal on the Knight Street Bridge off-ramp connecting to eastbound Southeast Marine Drive
- A new westbound left-turn lane on Southeast Marine Drive connecting to the Knight Street northbound on-ramp
- Improved conditions for people walking, cycling and using transit with a new shared walking and cycling path on the Knight Street overpass, the eastbound off-ramp and along the north side of Southeast Marine Drive.
The city says finishing touches to the sidewalks will continue in coming weeks. The final top-lift paving on Southeast Marine Drive, which is temperature-dependent, is anticipated to be complete in spring 2018.
Council approved the upgrades in fall 2015. Work began in summer 2017 with some funding from Transport Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Fund. Additional funding came from TransLink’s Major Road Network funding program and ICBC’s Road Improvement Program.
