View source for British Columbia Highway 91

{{short description|Highway in British Columbia}}
{{Infobox road
| province = BC
| alternate_name = Annacis Highway<br>Richmond Freeway<br>''East-West Connector''
| name_notes = 
| type = Hwy
| route = 91
| map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=290|frame-height=290|type=line|raw={{Wikipedia:Map data/Wikipedia KML/British Columbia Highway 91}}}}
| map_custom = yes
| map_notes = Highway 91 highlighted in red
| length_km = 23
| length_ref = <ref name=length/>
| established = 1986
| direction_a = South
| terminus_a = {{jct|state=BC|Hwy|99}} in [[Delta, British Columbia|Delta]]
| junction = {{jct|state=BC|Hwy|10}} in [[Delta, British Columbia|Delta]]<br>{{jct|state=BC|Hwy|17}} in [[Delta, British Columbia|Delta]] (via Hwy 91C)<br>{{jct|state=BC|Hwy|91A}} in [[Richmond, British Columbia|Richmond]]<br/>[[Knight Street]] in [[Richmond, British Columbia|Richmond]]
| direction_b = West
| terminus_b = {{jct|state=BC|Hwy|99}}/Alderbridge Way in [[Richmond, British Columbia|Richmond]]
| municipalities = 
| cities = [[Richmond, British Columbia|Richmond]], [[Delta, British Columbia|Delta]]
| previous_type = Hwy
| previous_route = 77
| next_type = Hwy
| next_route = 91A
}}

'''Highway 91''' is an alternative freeway route to [[British Columbia Highway 99|Highway 99]] through [[Delta, British Columbia|Delta]], [[New Westminster]] and [[Richmond, British Columbia|Richmond]], [[British Columbia]].  The highway was built in two sections, the first section from Delta to East Richmond in 1986, and the second section across Richmond in 1989.

It was the highest numbered highway in British Columbia that is not derived from a continuation of a [[U.S. Highway system|US highway]], until the designation of [[British Columbia Highway 118|Highway 118]] in 2003.

==Route description==
[[File:Alex Fraser Bridge (51593164818).jpg|alt=|left|thumb|[[Alex Fraser Bridge]] carries Highway&nbsp;91 over the Fraser River]]
The total distance covered by Highway 91 is 22&nbsp;km (14&nbsp;mi).  Starting at its junction with Highway 99 in East Delta, the route travels north for 2&nbsp;km (1¼&nbsp;mi) to a junction with [[British Columbia Highway 10|Highway 10]], then north for 10&nbsp;km (6&nbsp;mi) through three interchanges, over the [[Alex Fraser Bridge]] onto [[Annacis Island]], and through another interchange.  Highway 91 then crosses the Annacis Channel bridge, ever so briefly passing through the very corner of [[New Westminster]], and then enters Richmond, at which point it veers west. At the southern entrance to Highway 91, the road was formerly signed as ''Annacis Highway'', however, that name is not commonly used.

In Richmond, where Highway 91 is officially termed the ''Richmond Freeway'' but also as the ''East-West Connector'', the route travels west for 10 more km (6&nbsp;mi), through a junction with [[British Columbia Highway 91A|Highway 91A]] and two more interchanges, until it terminates just past its Richmond junction with Highway 99 at Shell Road.<ref>{{cite web|title= Official Numbered Routes in British Columbia - Highway 91|url= http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/publications/planning/numbered_routes.htm#91|date= 28 May 2008|publisher= BC Ministry of Transportation|access-date= 7 September 2009|archive-date= 9 July 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140709115652/http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/publications/planning/numbered_routes.htm#91|url-status= dead}}</ref>

==History==

===Recent improvements===

$10 million had been allocated to convert the existing [[seagull intersection]] at 72nd Avenue to an interchange; this junction was in 2009 the only at-grade intersection on Highway 91.<ref>{{cite web |title= $211 million Canada-BC investment at BC lower Mainland crossings|url= http://www.infc.gc.ca/media/news-nouvelles/bif-fsif/2003/20030305vancouver-eng.html#bg|date= 30 December 2009|publisher= Infrastructure Canada|access-date=7 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006004214/http://www.infc.gc.ca/media/news-nouvelles/bif-fsif/2003/20030305vancouver-eng.html |archive-date= 6 October 2011 }}</ref>  Upgrading this interchange would earn Highway 91 the status of a full [[freeway]], but it was reported in the ''Surrey Leader'' in 2008 that work on this proposal had ground to a halt because of disagreements between the municipal and provincial governments over the type of interchange that would be in place. The allocated funding had since been diverted for other uses, and as of 2011 the province had no intention of building the interchange,<ref>{{cite web|author= Dave White|title= Delta wants federal cash for highways|url= http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article/271782--delta-wants-federal-cash-for-highways|date= 29 August 2011|publisher= News 1130|access-date= 3 September 2011|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120323154613/http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article/271782--delta-wants-federal-cash-for-highways|archive-date= 23 March 2012}}</ref> but in April 2013, International Trade Minister [[Ed Fast]] announced that the removal of the traffic signal at 72nd Avenue would be given the go-ahead.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jennifer Saltman|url=https://theprovince.com/Trouble+traffic+light+gets+green+removal/8185831/story.html|title=Hwy 91: Trouble traffic light gets the green for removal|date=3 April 2013|publisher=[[The Province]]|access-date=5 April 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130630103323/http://www.theprovince.com/Trouble+traffic+light+gets+green+removal/8185831/story.html#|archive-date=2013-06-30}}</ref> On June 8, 2016, the BC government announced that the construction of a new interchange at 72nd Avenue, priced at $30 million, would commence in the fall, thereby removing the final traffic signals on  Highway 91.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news1130.com/2016/06/08/delta-interchange-construction-announcement/|title=Provincial government announces new interchange for 72nd Ave at Hwy 91|date=8 June 2016|publisher=News 1130}}</ref><ref name="72nd_int">{{cite web|title=Highway 91 at 72nd Avenue - Interchange Project|url=http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/transportation-infrastructure/projects/highway91-72avenue|website=Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure|publisher=Province of British Columbia|access-date=January 4, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=James|title=Construction to start on interchange in Delta at Highway 91 and 72nd Avenue|url=http://www.peacearchnews.com/news/401581825.html|publisher=Peace Arch News|date=November 16, 2016|access-date=January 4, 2017|archive-date=January 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104233757/http://www.peacearchnews.com/news/401581825.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Construction commenced in late 2016. On August 12, 2018, the new interchange opened to remove the final traffic light on Highway 91.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bernard |first1=Renee |last2=James |first2=Tim |date=August 12, 2018 |title=Overpass in Delta replaces traffic lights on Highway 91 |url=https://www.news1130.com/2018/08/12/overpass-delta-replaces-traffic-lights-highway-91/ |publisher=[[CKWX|News 1130]] |access-date=August 13, 2018}}</ref>

In early 2009, another interchange was agreed upon to be added to Highway 91 just south of the 'S' curve in Richmond, connecting Nelson Road to the highway. The interchange was opened on August 22, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title= Nelson road opening helps truckers, farmers and drivers|url= http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?nid=619209|date= 22 August 2011|publisher= Infrastructure Canada|access-date= 25 August 2011|archive-date= 27 March 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120327075416/http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?nid=619209|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author= Matthew Hoekstra|title= Nelson Road interchange opens today|url= http://www.bclocalnews.com/richmond_southdelta/richmondreview/news/128193713.html|date= 22 August 2011|publisher= Richmond Review|access-date= 25 August 2011|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://archive.today/20120721214826/http://www.bclocalnews.com/richmond_southdelta/richmondreview/news/128193713.html|archive-date= 21 July 2012}}</ref>

On January 19, 2017, announcement was made that a new seventh travel lane will be added on [[Alex Fraser Bridge]] by slightly narrowing the existing lanes and removing the shoulders.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/3192205/new-lane-to-be-added-to-alex-fraser-bridge-by-narrowing-existing-lanes/|title=New lane to be added to Alex Fraser Bridge by narrowing existing lanes|last=Judd|first=Amy|newspaper=Global News|access-date=2017-02-18|language=en}}</ref> A counterflow system with a [[Barrier transfer machine|movable barrier]] was added to help ease traffic during morning and afternoon rush hours. The new seventh lane opened to traffic on September 14, 2019,<ref>[https://www.surreynowleader.com/news/seventh-lane-now-open-on-alex-fraser-bridge/ Seventh lane now open on Alex Fraser Bridge]</ref> with the moveable reversible zipper in operation on December 16, 2019.<ref>[https://www.citynews1130.com/2019/12/16/alex-fraser-counterflow-lane-sees-first-rush-hour-commute-since-opening/ Alex Fraser counterflow lane sees first rush hour commute since opening]</ref> As a result of narrower travel lanes, the maximum speed limit over the bridge was lowered from {{convert|90|km/h|mph|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} to {{convert|70|km/h|mph|sigfig=2|abbr=on}}.<ref>[https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/alex-fraser-bridge-speed-limit-2019 Alex Fraser Bridge speed limit permanently lowered to 70 km/hr]</ref>
{{clear}}

==Exit list==
From south to north.
{{BCinttop|exit|division=Metro Vancouver|length_ref=<ref name=length>{{cite report
 |title=Landmark Kilometre Inventory
 |url=http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/driving-and-transportation/transportation-infrastructure/engineering-standards-and-guidelines/traffic-engineering-and-safety/highway-safety/lki/lki_bc_201607.pdf
 |pages=399–402
 |website=British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
 |publisher=Cypher Consulting
 |date=July 2016
 |access-date=2017-01-04
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311044605/http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/driving-and-transportation/transportation-infrastructure/engineering-standards-and-guidelines/traffic-engineering-and-safety/highway-safety/lki/lki_bc_201607.pdf
 |archive-date=2017-03-11
 |url-status=dead
 }}</ref>
|exit_ref=<ref>{{cite web|title=Highway Exits & Landmarks|url=http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/transportation-reports-and-reference/highway-exits#Highway91|website=Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure|publisher=Province of British Columbia|access-date=January 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715005132/http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/transportation-reports-and-reference/highway-exits#Highway91|archive-date=July 15, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
{{BCint|exit
|location=Delta
|lspan=7
|km=0.00
|exit=—
|road={{Jct|state=BC|Hwy|99|location1=[[Canada–United States border|USA border]]|location2=[[Seattle, Washington|Seattle]]|city3=Vancouver}}
|notes=Highway&nbsp;91 southern terminus; Highway&nbsp;99 exit&nbsp;16
}}
{{BCint|exit
|type=incomplete
|km=2.02
|exit=1
|road={{Jct|state=BC|Hwy|10|dir1=east|road|Ladner Trunk Road west|city1=Surrey|location2=[[Langley, British Columbia (city)|Langley]]}}
|notes=No access from northbound Highway&nbsp;91 to westbound Ladner Trunk Road
}}
{{BCint|exit
|km=4.90
|exit=4
|road=64th Avenue
|notes=
}}
{{BCint|exit
|km=6.53
|exit=6
|road=72nd Avenue
|notes=
}}
{{BCint|exit
|km=7.93
|exit=8
|road={{Jct|state=BC|Hwy|91C|Hwy|17|TCH|1|to2=yes|location1=[[Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal|Ferries]]|city2=Victoria|city3=Nanaimo|extra=ferry|road|Nordel Way (east)}}
|notes=Access to Highway&nbsp;17 via [[#Highway 91 Connector|Highway&nbsp;91 Connector]]; Highway&nbsp;17 exit&nbsp;23B
}}
{{Jctbridge|exit
|km=8.32
|km2=10.85
|bridge=[[Alex Fraser Bridge]] over the South Arm [[Fraser River]]
}}
{{BCint|exit
|km=11.04
|exit=10
|road=[[Annacis Island]] (Cliveden Avenue)
|notes=Southbound exit&nbsp;is via exit&nbsp;11
}}
{{BCint|exit
|location=Richmond
|lspan=7
|km=11.82
|exit=11
|road={{Jct|state=BC|Hwy|91A|dir1=north|city1=New Westminster}}
|notes=Directional signage changes from north-south to east-west
}}
{{BCint|exit
|km=13.31
|exit=13
|road=Westminster Highway
|notes=
}}
{{BCint|exit
|type=incomplete
|km=16.33
|exit=15
|road=Nelson Road
|notes=Eastbound exit and westbound entrance
}}
{{BCint|exit
|type=incomplete
|km=20.82
|exit=21
|road=No. 6 Road
|notes=Westbound exit and eastbound entrance
}}
{{BCint|exit
|type=incomplete
|km=21.22
|exit=22
|road=[[Knight Street]]&nbsp;– [[Vancouver]]
|notes=Access to northbound Knight Street only
}}
{{Jctint|exit
|km=22.91
|mspan=2
|exit=23
|road=[[File:BC-99.svg|24px|alt=|link=]]{{Jct|state=BC|extra=ferry}}{{Jct|state=BC|extra=airport}} {{Jct|state=BC|Hwy|99|noshield1=yes|location1=[[Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal|Ferries]]|city2=Victoria|city3=Nanaimo|location4=[[Vancouver International Airport|Airport]]|city5=Vancouver}}
|notes=Victoria and Nanaimo are via [[BC Ferries]]; Highway&nbsp;99 exit&nbsp;37
}}
{{Jctint|exit
|type=trans
|km=none
|exit=—
|road=Alderbridge Way (west)&nbsp;– [[Richmond, British Columbia#City Centre development plan|Richmond City Centre]]
|notes=Highway&nbsp;91 northern terminus; Alderbridge Way continues west
}}
{{jctbtm|keys=incomplete,trans}}

==Highway 91 Connector==
{{Infobox
|bodystyle = width:22em
|above  = <!--[[File:BC-xx.svg|40px]]-->
|subheader={{Big|'''Highway 91 Connector'''}}<br />Highway 91C<br />Pseudo Route 914:3142 (E/B)<br />Pseudo Route 914:3143 (W/B)
<div style="margin:.4em 0 0 0; height:.5em; background:#006A4D;"></div>
|label1 = Length:
|data1  = {{convert|2.2|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|label2 = West end:
|data2  = Highway 17 Trumpet Interchange
|label3 = Major<br />junctions: 
|data3  = {{Jct|province=BC|Hwy|17}}<br />{{Jct|province=BC|Hwy|91|nolink1=yes}}
|label4 = East end: 
|data4  = Nordel Way at BNSF overpass
}}

'''Highway 91 Connector''' ('''Highway 91C''') is a short {{convert|2.2|km|mi|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} [[unsigned highway]] connecting Highway 91 at Nordel Way and Highway 17 in Delta.<ref name="km-inventory">{{cite web |title=Landmark Kilometre Inventory July 2019 Version |url=https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/driving-and-transportation/transportation-infrastructure/engineering-standards-and-guidelines/traffic-engineering-and-safety/highway-safety/lki/lki_bc_201907.pdf |publisher=Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure}}</ref> It formerly started at the [[BNSF Railway]] level crossing on 96 Street. Today, the route starts at a trumpet interchange with Highway 17, crosses over Highway 91 via twin overpasses, and ends at the BNSF overpass on Nordel Way.

From its opening, the route faced heavy congestion due to the presence of a truck scale and at-grade intersections. The Highway 17 and Highway 91C intersection saw several truck rollover accidents since its opening in 2013 and engineer's report revealed that trucks are susceptible to rollover when exceeding {{convert|26|km/h|mph|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} while turning from Highway 17 to Highway 91C.<ref name="rollover">{{cite web |last1=Ponzini |first1=Maurizio |title=Highway 17 & Highway 91 Connector Intersection - Truck Rollover Safety Assessment |url=https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/driving-and-transportation/reports-and-reference/reports-and-studies/lower-mainland/hwy_17_91_connector_intersection_truck_rollover_safety_assessment.pdf |publisher=R.F. Binnie & Associates |date=2015-03-18}}</ref> The report recommended installation of truck rollover warning sign and an advisory speed limit of {{convert|20|km/h|mph|sigfig=2|abbr=on}} with the ultimate long-term solution to be an upgrade to grade-separated interchange.<ref name="rollover" />

In 2017, the Province announced Highway 91C will be upgraded to a freeway standard as a part of $254 million project.<ref name="GovNews-2017-Upgrade">{{cite web |title=Major roadway upgrades in Surrey and Delta to provide economic boost |url=https://news.gov.bc.ca/14126 |website=BC Gov News |publisher=Government of British Columbia |ref=gov-news-2017 |date=2017-03-10}}</ref> However, the project was partially downscaled and two at-grade intersections remain in the Highway 91/91C interchange. Traffic from southbound Highway 91 and westbound Nordel Way flows freely, while signals remain for traffic movements on the new southern overpass.

The [[grade separation]] work on Highway 91C started in 2020 and free-flow interchanges were constructed at Highway 17 and Nordel Way (west) with improved partially at-grade connections for Highway 91 ramps.<ref name="91-17-Display">{{cite web |title=Highway 91/17 Upgrade Project |url=https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/transportation-infrastructure-projects/highway-91-17-and-deltaport/documents/public-consultation/hwy-91-17-2020-boards_web.pdf |publisher=BCMoT}}</ref> The project reached substantial completion by the end of November 2022<ref>{{cite news |date=December 19, 2022 |title=Highway 91/17 upgrades near completion |url=https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022MOTI0130-001913 |work=BC Gov News |location=Delta, B.C |access-date=December 23, 2022}}</ref> with remaining works extended up until May 31, 2023.<ref name="report-2020-09">{{cite web |title=Highway 91/17 Upgrade Project MONTHLY STATUS REPORT |url=https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/transportation-infrastructure-projects/highway-91-17-and-deltaport/documents/project-status-reports/08900_h9117_project_monthly_rpt_september_2020.pdf#page=8 |publisher=Province of British Columbia |page=8 |date=September 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hwy 91/17 and Deltaport Way - Construction and Traffic Updates |url=https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation-projects/highway-91-17-deltaport/highway-91-17-deltaport-overview/highway-91-17-deltaport-construction-traffic |work=British Columbia |location=Delta, B.C |access-date=July 2, 2023}}</ref>

===Major intersections===
From west to east.
{{BCinttop|division=Metro Vancouver|location=Delta|length_ref=<ref name="km-inventory" />}}
{{BCint
|type=closed
|km=0.00
|road=96 Street
|notes=Closed; former intersection; replaced by River Road interchange<ref>{{cite web |title=Hwy 91/17 and Deltaport Way - Construction and Traffic Updates |url=https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation-projects/highway-91-17-deltaport/highway-91-17-deltaport-overview/highway-91-17-deltaport-construction-traffic}}</ref>
}}
{{BCint
|km=0.25
|road={{Jct|state=BC|Hwy|17|TCH|1|dir2=east|location1=[[Tsawwassen, British Columbia|South Delta]]|location2=[[Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal|Ferries]]|city3=Surrey|city4=Hope|extra=ferry}}<hr />River Road
|notes=Interchange <ref>[https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation-projects/highway-91-17-deltaport/highway-91-17-deltaport-overview/highway-91-17-deltaport-construction-traffic#highway91c-17 Highway 91C/Highway 17]</ref>
}}
{{BCint
|km=1.05
|road=Nordel Way (west) / Scale Access
|notes=Interchange <ref>[https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation-projects/highway-91-17-deltaport/highway-91-17-deltaport-overview/highway-91-17-deltaport-construction-traffic#Highway-91C-Weigh-Scale Hwy 91/17 and Deltaport Way - Construction and Traffic Updates]</ref>
}}
{{BCint
|km=1.33
|road={{Jct|province=BC|Hwy|91|dir1=south|nolink1=yes|location1=[[Canada–United States border|USA border]]}}
|notes=Free-flow eastbound; at-grade westbound
}}
{{BCint
|km=1.96
|road={{Jct|province=BC|Hwy|91|dir1=north|nolink1=yes|city1=New Westminster|city2=Vancouver|city3=Richmond|extra=airport}}
|notes=Interchange<ref>[https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation-projects/highway-91-17-deltaport/highway-91-17-deltaport-overview/highway-91-17-deltaport-construction-traffic#Highway91-Nordel-Way Improvements to Highway 91 at Nordel Interchange]</ref> 
}}
{{BCint
|km=2.24
|road=Nordel Way (east)
|notes=Continues east
}}
{{Jctbtm}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Attached KML|display=inline,title}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170105151258/http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/transportation-reports-and-reference/numbered-routes Official Numbered Routes in British Columbia]

{{BCHighways}}
{{Streets in Vancouver}}

[[Category:British Columbia provincial highways|091]]
[[Category:Freeways in British Columbia]]
[[Category:Highways in Greater Vancouver|091]]
[[Category:Transport in Delta, British Columbia]]
[[Category:Transport in Richmond, British Columbia]]