BC Highway 11 Interchange: What Contractors Must Include in Their Traffic Management Plan (TMP) in 2026

The Highway 11 Interchange Project in Abbotsford is a $242‑million design‑build job that will reshape how people and goods move through the Fraser Valley. If you are a contractor or subcontractor working anywhere near this corridor, you will need a detailed, phased traffic management plan (TMP) to keep your crews safe and your permits moving.

1. What Is Happening at Highway 1 and Highway 11?

The project replaces the existing Highway 1 / Highway 11 interchange and widens about 2.1 km of Highway 1 from McKenzie Road to just east of Highway 11. Planned improvements include:

• New interchange at Highway 1 and Highway 11

• Widening Highway 1 from four lanes up to as many as nine lanes in this section

• New HOV/EV lanes and bus‑on‑shoulder lanes in both directions

• A westbound truck climbing lane and upgraded truck parking facilities

• Replacement of the Riverside Road / rail overpass and improved active transportation connections (multi‑use paths, sidewalks, bike lanes)

Construction is underway, with completion expected around 2031, so TMP needs will run for several years and across many phases and subcontractors.

2. Why TMPs on This Project Are More Complex

This is not a simple lane‑closure project. The Highway 11 Interchange is a critical regional hub that handles commuters, trucks, and local Abbotsford traffic all at once. TMPs here must handle:

• High volumes and long‑distance traffic on Highway 1

• Heavy commercial and cross‑border goods movement on Highway 11

• Local access to Abbotsford’s road network, businesses, and residential areas

• Transit reliability with new bus‑on‑shoulder lanes

• Cyclist and pedestrian safety on new and existing paths

On a project where the interchange cannot simply be shut down, traffic management must maintain flow while structures are demolished, rebuilt, and tied in.

3. Core Elements of a Highway 11 TMP

A strong TMP for work near this project should, at minimum, cover the following:

3.1 Detailed Phasing and Staging

• Clear description of each construction phase and how traffic patterns change

• Separate traffic control layouts for night vs. day work, and for each stage of interchange or overpass work

• Coordination with parallel work on widening segments, overpass replacement, and intersection upgrades

3.2 Highway‑Scale Detours and Lane Management

• Lane configurations for each phase, including HOV/EV and truck climbing lanes where active

• Safe taper lengths, buffer zones, and reduced speed zones on high‑speed approaches

• Detour strategies for heavy trucks and oversize loads that cannot be easily rerouted through local streets

3.3 Access for Local Traffic, Transit, and Active Modes

• Guaranteed access for nearby residents and businesses during critical stages

• Bus stop relocations or temporary platforms where required

• Temporary pedestrian and cycling routes that connect safely across or around the work zones

3.4 Incident and Emergency Management

• Pre‑planned routes and procedures for emergency vehicles during closures or lane reductions

• Clear instructions for clearing minor crashes or breakdowns to keep queues manageable

• Communication lines between your site, the prime contractor, MOTT, and emergency services

4. Abbotsford and MOTT Requirements You Cannot Ignore

The City of Abbotsford requires a TMP as part of Highway Use and Highway Excavation permits and expects TMPs to follow its Guidelines & Requirements as well as the BC Traffic Management Manual for Work on Roadways. For higher‑risk, long‑duration work, plans are typically prepared or supervised by a professional engineer and must include:

• Project category (risk and duration)

• Site‑specific traffic control plans for each scenario and phase

• Sub‑plans for incident management, public information, and implementation

• Evidence of coordination with nearby or overlapping work zones, including other contractors on Highway 11 and adjacent municipal roads

On top of that, the provincial Highway 11 project has its own expectations for maintaining mobility and safety along this vital corridor.

5. How We Support Contractors and Subcontractors on Highway 11

If you are a prime contractor, subcontractor, or supplier tying into the Highway 11 Interchange works, you do not need to manage TMP complexity alone. We can help you by:

• Reviewing your scope and schedule to map out practical TMP phases that fit the overall project staging

• Preparing Abbotsford‑compliant TMPs that align with MOTT standards and the BC Traffic Management Manual

• Designing highway‑speed traffic control layouts that account for HOV/EV lanes, truck climbing lanes, bus‑on‑shoulder operations, and active transportation routes

• Building clear incident management and public communication plans that keep drivers informed and inspectors confident

6. When to Get Your Highway 11 TMP Started

Because this is a long, multi‑phase project with many stakeholders, you should have your TMP ready well before your crews move onto the corridor. Submitting a complete, coordinated TMP early helps you:

• Avoid permit delays and last‑minute design changes

• Secure better lane closure windows and staging opportunities

• Reduce the risk of enforcement action or shutdowns over non‑compliant setups

If you share your work location, expected start date, and scope on or near Highway 11 in Abbotsford, we can provide a tailored TMP proposal and realistic timeline so you are ready before the next phase of construction begins.