Balmoral, B.C. – After input from residents in and around Balmoral, B.C., the province announced it will be reconfiguring the Highway 1 and Balmoral Road intersection for safety.
The project intends to increase safety by restricting left turns onto the highway and movements straight across the highway. According to the province, these movements have accounted for over 70 per cent of collisions at this location in the past 10 years. The intersection, located approximately 10 kilometres east of Sorrento, has experienced a higher than average rate of collisions over the last decade.
The ministry invited members of the public to offer their feedback on potential improvements for the Highway 1 and Balmoral Road intersection, through an open house on June 26, 2019, and online feedback until July 10, 2019.
Officials presented two options. The first was to create right-turn-in, right-turn-out and left-turn-in movements with a protected left-turn bay. The other was to eliminate all left turns onto and off the highway.
After receiving strong support from residents, the province opted for the first option. The province stated it was also its preferred option because it best balances the need for safety while providing the ability to access Balmoral Road.
Additional funding has been approved to include highway acceleration lanes at Balmoral Road in both the eastbound and westbound directions to further improve the safety of the intersection. The request for acceleration lanes was common feedback received from the ministry’s public engagement.
Traffic on Balmoral Road wanting to cross the highway, or make a left turn onto the highway, will be required to use the current nearby underpass, resulting in minor impacts to travel times.
Work is expected to get underway in late September, with completion in November 2019.
Once construction begins, drivers can expect minor delays. A single lane in both directions on Highway 1 will be maintained throughout construction.
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