Three design/build teams are advancing to the next stage in the Lickman Interchange Project set to start next year.
The $6.5 million upgrade features improvements to the north and south sides of the interchange, like a two-lane roundabout, but will not touch the bridge crossing over Highway 1.
City of Chilliwack invited expressions of interest from design/build teams for the Lickman project, and three submissions were received by the closing deadline.
Proponents advancing on in the RFP include: Jakes Construction/ISL Engineering; Eurovia Vinci/McElhanney Engineering; and Flatiron Constructors Canada Limited/Associated Engineering.
The focus of the Lickman upgrade will be on removing left-turn movements at the eastbound ramp intersection and redirecting left-turns to the south through a new, two-lane roundabout at Yale /Luckakuck and Lickman.
READ MORE: $6.5M project for Lickman with roundabout
Lickman will also be widened to four lanes between the southside interchange ramps, and Yale Road and Luckakuck Way.
Project costs will be shared between City of Chilliwack ($4.5 million) and the Province of B.C. ($2 million).
READ MORE: Lickman to get upgrade
No changes will be made to the overpass itself since the “estimated remaining useful life of the bridge portion of the interchange is 15 years,” according to the staff report. The Province has plans to widen the Trans Canada Highway at that location to six lanes by 2030.
Citizens have weighed in with comments, after attending community engagement meeting to describe the project and the benefits.
“The meeting was well attended with 106 people attending, 30 of the attendees left written comments, 20 in favour of the project and 10 were negative,” according to city documents. “In addition, several attendees provided expert comments and suggestions that will be incorporated into the project.”
Council voted to authorize staff to forward Request for Proposal documents to the three selected proponents at the last council meeting.
Funding has been allocated in the budget and will not require financing, as per the usual methods of procurement at city hall.
These are the project features.
North side changes:
• new turning lanes
• new climbing lane
• longer NB left-turn lane
South side changes include:
• Two-lane roundabout
• new lanes
• ramp intersection
- Signal removed
- Right turn only
@chwkjourno
jfeinberg@theprogress.com
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