Work begins on new four-lane Abbotsford overpass

ABBOTSFORD – Work has begun on a new four-lane overcrossing in Abbotsford now that the Emil Anderson Group has been awarded a contract from the provincial government.

In a statement from the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, the province says work is getting underway on the new Peardonville Road crossing in Abbotsford, bringing another major piece of widening Highway 1 through the Fraser Valley into construction.

“People in the Fraser Valley deserve to spend less time sitting in traffic and more time getting where they need to go,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit. “We know construction can be disruptive, but the work underway is about making travel safer, more reliable and more convenient for people who live, work and travel through Abbotsford. The new Peardonville Road crossing is another important step toward improving connections in the community and building a transportation network that can keep people moving as the region continues to grow.”

Construction was expected to begin today, Thursday, Sept. 17, following the recent award of the construction contract to the Canadian construction company Emil Anderson Group.

The new Peardonville Road crossing will replace the existing overpass and provide four lanes, protected bike lanes and sidewalks.

The province says improvements will also be made to Peardonville Road and surrounding connections north and south of Highway 1.

Approximately 1.6 kilometres of Highway 1 will also be widened as part of the crossing construction, with new high-occupancy vehicle (HOV), electric vehicle (EV) and bus-on-shoulder lanes.

With work at Peardonville Road getting underway, all segments of the Fraser Valley Highway 1 Corridor Improvement Program are now in active construction.

The new crossing will make it easier and safer for people walking, cycling and driving to get across Highway 1. As well, more highway capacity and new HOV, EV and bus-on-shoulder lanes will support more reliable trips through the Fraser Valley.

“Abbotsford is growing and our transportation infrastructure needs to keep pace with the people, families and businesses who call this community home,” said Ross Siemens, mayor of Abbotsford. “The new Peardonville Road crossing will improve connections for people driving, walking and cycling, while the broader Highway 1 improvements will help people move more reliably through our community. We appreciate the Province of B.C.’s investment in Abbotsford to help deliver safer, more efficient transportation connections that will support our growing community and benefit residents for generations to come.”

The contract is valued at $119.4 million and is being funded in partnership with the City of Abbotsford. The project is expected to be complete in 2031.

While construction will mean some temporary traffic impacts, the province says the public works project will deliver long-term improvements for people travelling through this busy part of Abbotsford.