City of Chilliwack enlists consultant to examine rural road safety, make recommendations

CHILLIWACK — The City of Chilliwack says it is working with road safety experts to evaluate rural intersections across the municipality and prepare detailed recommendations at locations with the top collision potential.

According to a newsletter sent to the public last week, the city says traffic volumes are increasing on many rural roads. While the municipality acknowledges that most collisions within Chilliwack happen within urban areas, rural collisions occur usually at higher speeds and lead to great injuries.

The city says nearby Abbotsford completed a rural safety study in 2020 that resulted in several low-cost improvements and safer roads. Likewise, the city is looking to complete a similar study to ensure Chilliwack’s roads are safe.

As part of this project, the city’s consultant will review rural collision data, determine the greatest frequency and types of collisions, review dozens of intersections in person, and make safety recommendations for all intersections and detailed recommendations at locations with the top collision potential.

Motorists are asked to watch for crews on the road this fall!

The city suggests potential improvements that could flow from this traffic study may include new and/or bigger signage, road markings, new intersection controls, and improved vegetation management, among other recommendations.

Timeline

• Consultant Hired – September 2025
• Onsite Evaluation – Fall 2025
• Reporting and Project Completion – Winter 2026
• Safety Improvements – Spring 2026 onwards (timeline dependent on what actions are recommended)

Residents with any questions are welcome to contact city engineering staff at 604-793-2907 or engineeringinfo@chilliwack.com.