McCallum Interchange

2009-2011; Project Value: $25 Million

Project Summary:

The original McCallum Road / Highway 1 Interchange was constructed in the early 1960’s as part of the original Highway 1 freeway project in the Fraser Valley. Abbotsford is one of the fastest growing communities in British Columbia and the increase in traffic was exceeding the capacity of the interchange, causing significant congestion, delays and traffic queuing during peak travel periods.  Furthermore, the acceleration and deceleration lanes along Highway 1 no longer met current highway design guidelines and could be a potential contributing factor to motor vehicle crashes at the interchange. 

As a result, improving the McCallum Road / Highway 1 interchange was considered one of the City of Abbotsford’s highest transportation priorities.  The $25 million project to upgrade the interchange, announced April 7, 2009, was implemented to improve safety, accommodate higher traffic volumes and improve access to the City’s commercial centre, as well as the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre, the new Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre, and the University of the Fraser Valley campus. 

Activities: Working with the City of Abbotsford, Jack Stuempel and Associates delivered public consultation, communications and issues managment services that included:

• • Preparation and distribution of public information materials, including content for a project website (subsequently migrated to the City of Abbotsford site).

  • Strategic consultation and issues management support to project staff during key stakeholder contact, correspondence, meetings, partnering sessions, etc.

  • Solicitation of public input on preliminary design via a public open house and the website during the preliminary design process.

  • Public and stakeholder notification of regular traffic advisories and project updates during implementation phase.

Results: Input received during consultations was applied during the design process, and a high level of awareness was maintained throughout the design and construction period.