Image: Supplied by C. Kloot / Councillor Chris Kloot of Chilliwack is calling on the provincial government to address congestion on Highway 1. He wonders why $20 million was spent on variable speed corridor signage between Abbotsford and Chilliwack when that money could have been spent on extending on-ramps and other traffic mitigation measures.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Fall election

Councillor Kloot calls for better transportation into Metro Vancouver on congested Hwy. 1, questions value of money spent on variable speed corridor

Oct 4, 2022 | 11:40 AM

CHILLIWACK — In light of how often Chilliwack residents head westbound on Highway 1 for anything from medical appointments to work, to visiting family and checking out regional attractions, Councillor Chris Kloot is openly questioning why the province hasn’t done more to alleviate congestion west of town.

In a social media posting, Kloot openly questioned why over $20 million was spent by the B.C. government on variable speed corridor signs when it could have been invested into better things.

“As the population continues to increase, no one wants to sit in traffic,” Kloot wrote on social media Monday (Oct. 3). “Does this photo look enjoyable to you? No? Let’s change it! Our main highway system is dismal at best, and should have had significant improvements 20+ years ago.”

Kloot, a dairy farmer in Rosedale, argues the province can tackle congestion through what he calls “quick wins.”

“I understand funding is always a challenge, but I think a couple quick wins can be achieved prior to adding a much needed 3rd lane,” Kloot wrote.

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Kloot suggested enforcing and installing signage mandating that commercial vehicles can only travel in the fast lane to pass from where the highway is only two lanes in the Fraser Valley.⁣⁣ Second, he wrote, on-ramps should be significantly extended similar to the European model. Speed limits need to be increased on the merging lane by 10 kilometers of the posted highway speed, thereby allowing mergic traffic to work as a zipper model.

According to a news release dated November 5, 2020 from the B.C. government, the total cost of implementing new variable speed limit systems on Highways 1 and 3 was $25 million.

“Did you know… $20+ million was spent between Whatcom Road [in east Abbotsford] and Prest Road [in Chilliwack] for a variable speed corridor?” Kloot asked. “What would $20 million buy us on extending merging lanes in the Fraser Valley?”

Kloot said the regional Route 66 bus connecting Chilliwack with the Lougheed Skytrain station has been a resounding success, but says Chilliwack still needs more transit options.

“In 2020 the Provincial Government promised in the throne speech commuter rail to the Fraser Valley with no timelines,” Kloot wrote. “This is a great idea, and we must hold the government’s feet to the fire to make this happen sooner then later.”

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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Councillor Kloot calls for better transportation into Metro Vancouver on congested Hwy. 1, questions value of money spent on variable speed corridor

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