City of Delta F.07 COUNCIL REPORT Regular Meeting To: Mayor and Council File No.: 5220-30/GMTR From: Engineering Department Date: October 26, 2017 Review of Bridge Traffic Volumes Since Tolls were Removed The following report has been reviewed and endorsed by the City Manager. • RECOMMENDATION: THAT this report be received for information . .• PURPOSE: The purpose of this report is to provide the recent traffic volume data for Fraser River crossings in the Lower Mainland since bridge tolls were removed. • BACKGROUND: Bridge tolls on the Port Mann Bridge and Golden Ears Bridge were removed on September 1, 2017. A press release from the Province indicated that removal of the tolls would shorten commute times, help improve traffic flow on other bridges and clear up other routes so people could spend less time queued in traffic. • DISCUSSION: Updated traffic count information has been provided from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for the Fraser River crossings in the Lower Mainland (Attachment A) . Table 1 below shows detailed traffic volumes for September 26, 2017 compared to September 27,2016. T a bl e 1 . D"IallY T ra ff"IC V o I ume C ompanson b'Y R"Iver C rossmg George Massey Alex Fraser Pattullo Port Mann Golden Ears Tunnel Bridge Bridge Bridge Bridge Daily Trips 94,101 123,877 78,595 122,770 42,501 September 2016 Daily Trips 92,216 121,361 68,854 155,329 55,182 September 2017 Change -2% -2% -12% +27% +30% Page 2 of 3 Review of Bridge Traffic Volumes Since Tolls were Removed 5220-30/GMTR October 26,2017 Based on a review of the data there are: • Increased trips at the Port Mann Bridge (+27%); • Minimal change to the number of trips at the George Massey Tunnel and Alex Fraser Bridge (-2%); and • A shift for a portion of the vehicles previously using the Pattullo Bridge to the Port Mann Bridge (-12%). Staff will continue to monitor traffic volume changes related to the removal of bridge tolls; however, early indications confirm that the removal of tolls will not aid in improving congestion at either the George Massey Tunnel or Alex Fraser Bridge. Further, recent traffic counts for the George Massey Tunnel indicated that there are over 94,000 trips through the tunnel on weekdays. Morning and evening rush hours at the George Massey Tunnel and Alex Fraser Bridge now typically last between seven to nine hours combined per day, making it more difficult for commuters to avoid being stuck in daily congestion. These two crossings also have high traffic volumes during the mid-day hours and are very sensitive to any regional traffic incidents. As traffic volumes increase, the morning and afternoon rush hours may start to blend together in the long term, if no action is taken to improve these crossings. As part of the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure estimated the congestion levels on Highway 91 and Highway 99 without construction of a new bridge. Attachment B shows the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure's current queue lengths and estimates of queue lengths in 2045. The green lines update Attachment B to show the 2017 queue lengths currently being experienced along these corridors. Implications: Financial Implications - There are no financial implications to Delta. • CONCLUSION: Recent traffic data and queue lengths show that the removal of bridge tolls has not improved congestion at the George Massey Tunnel or Alex Fraser Bridge. Without significant improvements to the George Massey Tunnel crossing, economic growth and regional livability will be constrained by congestion and increasing travel times. Staff will continue to monitor traffic volume data and will report back to Council as updated information is available. ~~-/' .{.srSteven Lan, P.Eng. Director of Engineering Department submission prepared by: Heather Thicke, AScT, PMP, Project Technologist HT/dm/bm/1i Page 3 of 3 Review of Bridge Traffic Volumes Since Tolls were Removed 5220-30/GMTR October 26, 2017 This report has been prepared in consultation with the following listed department. Concurring Department Department Name Signature A' Corporate Services Sean McGill ..". r • ATTACHMENTS: A. Fraser River Bridge Crossing Volumes - September 26, 2017 B. Estimated Queue Lengths on Highway 91 and Highway 99 Corridors Fraser River Bridge Crossing Volumes - Se ~l .LLJliltiU': west V:inCOO~ 1 Average Percent a 1ange during Average Percent Change during oc:rp -3% Previous Week Previous Week Tu esday, September 26, 2017 Tuesday, Se ptember 26, 2017 188 203 Volume Volume ' Tuesday, September27, 2016 Tuesday, September 27, 2016 190 74-3 Volume Volume ' ott I'/< ~ u,::1!iJX Burnaby 7 Mapl Average Percent Change during Previous Week Tue$day, September 26, 2017 Volume Tu esday, September 27, 2016 Volume c-~rsrOt Average Percent Ch ange during Previ ous Week MoT Bridees "U » TransUnk Bridees P> :::: CO P> - CD (") - ...... ::::r o_CD 3 ...... ~ » - "E __.. ..aolii;~~ .. .......~,.Q j it'" ....... ~"'5 o ::: ~ C .::;<1. 2017 QUEUE LENGTHS SHOWN IN GREEN -0» Pl :::: <.OPl * Th e estimat ed 2045 queue lengths at th e Alex Fraser Bridge do not include t he recent announcements of fut ure upgrades (I) () including the Alex Fraser counter-flow lane and Highway 91 and 72 Avenue interchange improvements. ...... :::r o 3 -(I) ...... ~ OJ .