Chase Four-Laning Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Find answers to some frequently asked questions about the project. 

On this page:

• Noise
  • How were noise levels assessed and are they still being assessed?
  • How will the project impact noise levels in the Village?
  • Will noise mitigation be completed after the project?
  • Will there be signs regarding the use of engine brakes?
  • Why are crews working on Sundays? 
• Construction
  • How do I find road closure updates?
  • How can I stay informed on monthly construction activities and traffic impacts?
  • What sort of rock work is taking place throughout the project?
• Safety
  • How does this project improve safety?
  • Are there any measures in place to protect workers and the public?
  • Why is the ministry proposing an emergency gate at Coburn Street?
  • What will be the speed limit when the project is complete?
• Design
  • What will the drainage look like within the Village of Chase once the project is complete?
  • What was considered during the drainage design within the Village of Chase?
  • Why does the design not include an interchange at Coburn Street instead of Brooke Drive?
  • How will highway traffic access the Village of Chase after construction is complete?
  • Will there be any impacts to the existing cemetery near the highway right of way?
• Active transportation
  • How will this project accommodate pedestrians and cyclists? Will the project integrate with the Scatchard Trail network improvements?
• Public consultation
  • How is public and local community feedback being considered?
     

Noise

How were noise levels assessed and are they still being assessed?

• Prior to beginning construction, the ministry completed noise assessments of the highway within the project area to establish baseline noise levels.
• Interim testing was completed in winter 2023, finding the pre-construction and current noise levels to be similar or slightly lower than the baseline noise levels.
• For more information, please read the ministry’s Noise Policy (PDF,  300K)
• Project Noise Assessment Reports can be found through the following links:
  • Highway 1 - Chase West to Jade Mountain - Traffic Noise Impact Assessment - February 2020
  • Memorandum - Clarification for Traffic Noise Assessment Report in Chase, BC - March 25, 2024
  • Memorandum - Highway 1 Chase West to Jade Mountain - 2023 Noise Monitoring - December 14, 2023

How will the project impact noise levels in the Village?

• Considering the new highway design and the projected traffic volume increase over the next 10 years, the change in noise levels is not anticipated to be clearly noticeable.
• The ministry is committed to conducting a post-construction noise assessment to understand noise levels. The assessments will be done after all changes to the highway have been implemented to ensure accuracy.

Will noise mitigation be completed after the project?

• The ministry is working with the Village of Chase to understand the noise levels and discuss potential work at the conclusion of the project.

Will there be signs regarding the use of engine brakes?

• In June 2024, the project installed signs advising commercial vehicles to avoid the use of engine brakes. Signs are now posted eastbound near the Petro-Canada/A&W and westbound near the top of Jade Mountain.

Why are crews working on Sundays?

• The ministry has authorized a temporary change in permitted hours of construction, to make up for lost time as a result of 2024 wildfire season restrictions, for construction activities that posed a high fire risk. Between August and November 2024, the contractor may work within the project area outside of the main Village of Chase 7 days per week.
• Taking advantage of all daylight hours currently available will help keep everyone safe and avoid future project delays. We recognize that current construction activities are noisy and appreciate everyone’s patience as we work to complete this phase of the project as quickly as possible.

Construction

How do I find road closure updates?

• You can find the latest road closure updates on www.drivebc.ca.

How can I stay informed on monthly construction activities and traffic impacts?

• The project team provides the public with updates on key project activities and traffic impacts as the project progresses. These updates are published monthly in the Chase Sunflower and on the project website.

What sort of rock work is taking place throughout the project?

• The contractor has been scaling and bolting the rock on site to ensure the final rock cut is stable, and this will continue during periods of active construction. Scaling is the process of removing loose rocks, while bolting is the process of installing steel bars and cementing them in drill holes to provide additional stability to the rock.
• The rock work is expected to continue throughout the duration of the project.

Safety

How does this project improve safety?

• Four-laning with median and roadside barriers greatly reduces the potential for head on collisions.
• The primary access to the Village of Chase will be a grade-separated interchange, which will eliminate the left turn movement across oncoming traffic.
• Protected T-intersections have been completed within the Chase West project limits that allow for access to Chase from the west, as well as to Chase Creek Road (Chase-Falkland Road). These provide safe acceleration and deceleration opportunities and allow turning vehicles to wait for a safe opportunity to access or exit the highway.
• Consolidated accesses with appropriate acceleration and deceleration opportunities will greatly reduce the likelihood of collision when entering/exiting the highway.
• Improved highway geometrics will allow vehicles to safely travel at an increased speed.
• Grade-separated pedestrian crossings reduce the potential for vehicle/pedestrian conflicts.

Are there any measures in place to protect workers and the public?

• The contractor is using industry best practices while stabilizing the rock, and the ministry and the contractor are working together closely to monitor the site during active construction, as well as during periods of inactivity. This includes safety measures such as traffic control, berms, barriers, set-back distances and exclusion zones to protect workers and the travelling public.
• To protect Scatchard Trail users, fencing will be installed along the edge of the trail in areas where pedestrians are exposed above the steep slopes on the highway.

Why is the ministry proposing an emergency gate at Coburn Street?

• Maintaining access for emergency services is a priority and an emergency gate at Coburn Street will maintain direct highway access in the westbound direction.
• An advance warning sign with flashing lights will be installed on Jade Mountain to notify westbound traffic when there is an emergency and direct them to move into the left lane to allow emergency services to safely enter the highway. 

What will be the speed limit when the project is complete?

• The speed limit will be 100 km/h once the project is completed. The 100 km/hr section will start approximately 800 m east of Chief Neskonlith Drive and end at the Chase Creek Bridge for a total distance of 5.0 km.

Design

What will the drainage look like within the Village of Chase once the project is complete?

• Drainage within the Village of Chase is substantially complete and has been upgraded to a combination of open and enclosed drainage. Open drainage includes ditches and swales, and enclosed drainage includes pipes and culverts.

What was considered during the drainage design within the Village of Chase?

• The project had to incorporate the existing conditions within the Village of Chase. This included tying into the open and enclosed drainage and ensuring proper water management from adjacent properties.
• Due to flat grades, the drainage system had to be designed for proper water movement. Using open drainage, which is closer to the surface at the beginning of the network, helps to ensure adequate water flow where enclosed drainage is not possible.
• Open drainage is better for the environment because it allows for rainwater to be absorbed back into the soil, while improving the quality of water that flows downstream. It is also more cost effective, and easier to maintain than enclosed drainage.

Why does the design not include an interchange at Coburn Street instead of Brooke Drive?

• The Brooke Drive location was selected based on technical reasons and this location was broadly supported at the 2017 public open house.
• The Coburn Street interchange option has significant adverse impacts compared to Brooke Drive, including to property, businesses, archaeological sites, drainage and cost.
• Coburn Street and the Coburn Street Bridge lack the capacity required for commercial transportation traffic. This would create further impacts to property and cost.

How will highway traffic access the Village of Chase after construction is complete?

• There will be three access points to the Village of Chase. The access points include the following:
• COMPLETED: Shuswap Avenue West (near the Petro-Canada/A&W). This access has been moved roughly 0.5 km to the west and is a full-movement (both east and westbound acceleration and deceleration lanes) protected T-intersection.
• UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Brooke Drive interchange. This grade separated interchange (including an underpass and roundabout) will become the primary entrance to the Village.
• EXISTING: Shuswap Avenue East (Jade Mountain). This intersection will remain in the current condition as requested by the Village of Chase.

Will there be any impacts to the existing cemetery near the highway right of way?

• There will be no impacts to the existing cemetery during highway construction. The cemetery will be accessible during construction via Foothills Road until the new Brooke Drive interchange is complete.

Active transportation

How will this project accommodate pedestrians and cyclists? Will the project integrate with the Scatchard Trail network improvements?

• The new Brooke Drive interchange includes sidewalks and crosswalks for pedestrians and cyclists to cross underneath the highway to access the Scatchard Trails.
• A new pedestrian path will be added to the Chase Creek Bridge to connect pedestrians from the Chase Creek Falls trail to the Scatchard Trails. A path between Chase Creek Bridge and Foothills Road will complete the connection. The pathway will be constructed with an accessible hard pack gravel.
• To protect Scatchard Trail users, fencing will be installed along the edge of the trail in areas where pedestrians are exposed above the steep slopes on the highway.

Public consultation

How is public and local community feedback being considered?

• Community feedback has been and will continue to be considered along with engineering, environmental and financial information, and feedback from local government and First Nations.
• As an example, in 2017, the Brooke Drive interchange option was identified as the community’s preferred option for the following reasons:
  • Increased opportunity for development
  • Minimal impacts to residents and businesses
  • Support for adjacent land use
  • Improved connectivity to local road network
• Refer to Page 6 of the January 2021 Chase Four-Laning Information Boards (PDF, 11.7MB) for additional examples of feedback that has been considered and is reflected in the design.
• We welcome feedback throughout the duration of the project, including during construction. Feedback can be directed to: chasefourlaning@gov.bc.ca.