B.C. Highways - Highway 7B North


Highway 7B is a bypass route around the south and southeast perimenter of Port Coquitlam for commuters from Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge. It also provides access to light industrial areas of southeast Port Coquitlam. The highway provides a faster route than Highway 7 to Highway 1. The route was completed in 1996 and a direct connection to Highway 1 westbound was completed in 2002 as part of a reconfiguration of Highway 1's Cape Horn Interchange.
		The Port Mann Bridge completed in 1964 is seen in the distance.
		Highway 7 access is gained with travel over the freeway to the left. That route was the original access to Highway 7B before this extension to Highway 7 B was put in. The older access was to continue east and then south to meet with this off ramp. The older route was met with many complaints by local residents. The current route comprises of an offramp that meets United Blvd at a traffic light. From there, Highway 7B begins its northeastward route.

		Coquitlam River and bridge. The Coquitlam River begins in the local coast mountains and is one of three rivers that in its upper section provides a water resevoir for the Great Vancouver water supply. The river is framed on both sides by park reserve. The river gets its name from "kwayhquitlum" meaning small salmon.

		Shaughnessy Street. Shaughnessy Street begins here and continues north through the western edge of Mary Hill and into Port Coquitlam's downtown area where Shaughnessy Street becomes the main street.

		Highway 7B now begins to travel through the south end of Mary Hill. Mary Hill is a small hill which was developed for residential housing beginning in the 1960's The southern end - including where the highway is shown here - was a large gravel pit operation that closed in the late 1960's. The area is now covered in houses, with quite a few open spaces for parklands. The river shore just to the right of the highway has been recently finished with new residential development and park reserves.
		Continuing north, the Highway descends to the flatland area of Port Coquitlam's eastern side.
		Pitt River Road. Pitt River Road continues north along the eastern side of Mary Hill. It eventually intersects with Shaughnessy Street. The road serves local residents and provides access to Port Coquitlam's downtown area. Ahead is Port Coquitlam's light industrial area.
		The centre of the light industrial area is Broadway Ave. This area has been developed in stages since the early 1980's. Previously the area was farm land. Light industrial development is still ongoing. On the right or east is a business park, the location of light industrial and distribution type activity.
		The Pitt River Bridge's traffic flow is controlled by lane control structures in order to provide a third lane during rush hour peak periods.
		The layout shares an inside line for traffic on each of the two bridges. The 1957 bridge (south) is on the bottom of this diagram, the 1970's bridge (north) is the upper structure. (researched diagram from Ministry of Transportation)
		Canadian Pacific Railway overpass. This is the second overpass built at this location. This one being completed in the early 1990's. The CPR's Coquitlam yards - the final destination for westbound trains carrying general and bulk freight- begins here. Trains are taken apart here and the cars are sent to rail destinations at Vancouver's waterfront.

		Click on this sign to view Mary Hill Bypass (Highway 7B) looking south towards the CPR Underpass at Lougheed Highway and Pitt River Bridge.
		Highway 7B ends ahead. A Lane control system leading over the Pitt River Bridge begins here. To the left are left turn lanes that provide travel onto Highway 7 West. There are two bridges crossing the Pitt River, an original one finished in 1957, another just to the north finished in the 1970's. the two are used together to provide three lanes in one direction during rush hour peak periods.
		Click on this sign to view Highway 7 (Lougheed Highway) to the west at the intersection with Mary Hill Bypass (Highway 7B).


		Click on this sign to view traffic conditions at the west end of the Pitt River Bridge at the west cross over.
Copyright (c) 2004 P. Keenleyside [ Legal and Terms of Use ]		Highway 7 continues on towards the Pitt River Bridge. Click on this picture to continue travel to Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and Mission.