SQUAMISH TO
WHISTLER’S FUNCTION JUNCTION
North of Squamish, the Sea-to-Sky Highway Improvement Project is 3-lanes with alternating passing opportunities provided by the third land. The alignment will have softer curves, new chain-up areas and a new northbound viewpoint. New overpasses at the rail crossings at Brandywine and Function Junciton have eliminated severe curves where crash volumes were high. Work is currently scheduled to be complete in the summer of 2009.
WHAT WE’RE IMPROVING
The highway between Brackendale at the north end of Squamish and Function Junction just south of Whistler is three lanes with significantly improved passing opportunities. Wider shoulders will provide safer cycling and room for disabled vehicles. Rumble strips and highly reflective pavement markings will also improve safety.
Pinecrest/Blacktusk section
This new 3-lane alignment reduces intersections by consolodating the Pinecrest and Blacktusk intersection into one protected T-intersection serving both communities. An environmental benefit are two wetlands reunited that were separated by the original highway construction in the 1960s.
Further information may be found in the detailed design discussion guide for Pinecrest/Blacktusk:
http://www.seatoskyimprovements.ca/Detailed_Design/
Pinecrest-Blacktusk/pinecrest_blacktusk.htm
Brandywine to Function Junction section
This 3-lane section with alternating passing lanes has safety improvements such as two grade-separated railway overpasses, channelized T-intersections at Brandywine Provincial Park, Brew Main, Nordic centre access roads as well as at a turn-around at the old Callaghan Forest Service Road. At Powerline Hill improved grades and new chain-up areas will help make this section of highway more reliable.
The overpass at Function Junction eliminates severe curves and also has environmental benefit with the removal of the culvert at Miller Creek, and 'daylighting' important fish habitat. More information about the highway between Brandywine and Function Junction can be found in the detailed discussion guide.
http://www.seatoskyimprovements.ca/Detailed_Design/Whistler/whistler.htm
FEATURES
Protected T
At Chance Creek the protected T-intersection provides safe access for traffic entering and exiting the highway by providing protected lanes for cars waiting for an opportunity to either cross oncoming traffic and turn off the highway or to accelerate into highway traffic across from the intersection.
Wetlands at old salt sheds
The wetland in this picture was created by the project at what was once a site where salt sheds for snow removal were located along the Cheakamus River. It was cleaned up and built along one of the Cheakamus tributary creeks to compensate for impacts to fish habitats from the expansion of the highway through the area.
Living wall
Just north of Callaghan Creek, workers constructed a ‘live wall’ which allowed the highway widening to proceed, but decreased its impact on the adjacent wetlands.
In order to achieve the highway’s three-lane, split-grade configuration, but reduce the environmental impact in a location constricted by the rail line on one side and the wetlands with fish and amphibians on the other side, engineers designed this unique, living, bio-engineered wall.
Approximately 195 metres long and 1.5 metres high, this wall uses the patented Delta Lok system. The Delta Lok bags are filled with topsoil and a seed mix. The soil bags are stacked in rows and between the rows, live cuttings of willow or dogwood are placed.
Railway overpasses at Brandywine and Function Junction
The sharp curves at both Function Junction and Brandywine rail crossings have been replaced with overpasses. Eliminating these two level-railway crossings has improved safety, reliability and capacity on the northern section of the Sea-to-Sky Highway.
ON-GOING CONSTRUCTION
Finishing work is underway at the rail crossings at Brandywine and Function Junction. The Function Junction overpass is featured in this photo.
Grading of the final alignment and first layer of paving between Brew Creek and Function Junction is underway. Pictured here is a section on Powerline Hill.
Utility pole relocation is nearing completion.
Toplift paving at the Black Tusk - Pine Crest realignment is under way.
COMPLETED WORK
Five-kilometre, three lane section from Cheakamus Canyon to Rubble Creek opened in the fall of 2006.
Three-kilometre four-lane section from Rubble Creek to Daisy Lake opened in fall 2008
New bridge bridge structures at Rubble Creek, Cheakamus River, Daisy Lake, Brandywine River and Callaghan River have been completed, though roadworks to connect them with the highway alignment need to be done in some locations. Pictured here is the Callaghan Creek Bridge.
Existing and new viewpoints will showcase breathtaking views, improved signage, safer access, bear-proof garbage cans and picnic tables.. New informational kiosks are being installed at seven locations as part of an aboriginal tourism experience called the "Cultural Jouney."
Millar Creek debris basin. Debris basins are constructed to control runoff and deterioration of water quality, or threats to human life and property. Debris basins are constructed to a standard that they provide immediate protection from flood water, floatable debris, sediment, boulders, and mudflows. Their purpose is to protect soil and water resources from unacceptable losses or to prevent unacceptable downstream damage.
Rubble Creek south to Brackendale is complete. Pictured here is the new northbound span over Rubble Creek.
SCHEDULE
http://www.seatoskyimprovements.ca/updates/2008/080409_STS_timetable.pdf
