Night work to install final girders will reroute northbound traffic
Delta drivers should expect overnight delays on Highway 99 this weekend while crews complete the installation of the remaining bridge girders for the new 78th Street overpass. Transport officials have scheduled the closures for the nights of Friday, Aug. 21 and Saturday, Aug. 22.
According to a Ministry of Transportation and Transit news release, closures will affect the northbound lanes on Highway 99 between the Highway 91 and Highway 17 interchanges. Work will begin at 8 p.m. on both nights and the lanes are planned to reopen by 5 a.m. the following mornings.
“Drivers should plan for additional travel time on Highway 99, Highway 91, Highway 17, Ladner Trunk Road and surrounding roads during the work,”
The release also reminded motorists to obey posted signage, follow directions from traffic-control personnel and use caution when travelling through construction zones.
Detours, local road impacts and what to expect
During the northbound closures all northbound traffic — including commercial vehicles — will be detoured via Highway 91 and Highway 17. Southbound Highway 99 lanes will remain open throughout the work.
- Closures: Northbound Highway 99 between Highway 91 and Highway 17
- Dates: Friday, Aug. 21 and Saturday, Aug. 22
- Times: 8 p.m. start to 5 a.m. reopening
- Detour route: Highway 91 → Highway 17
- Effect on southbound traffic: none; southbound remains open
Residents who usually use Ladner Trunk Road, or local connectors between Delta’s south and north sides, should expect increased volumes while the detour is in effect. The ministry suggests allowing extra travel time for overnight trips and paying attention to temporary signage.
Why the overnight closures are necessary
The scheduled work is part of construction to complete the new 78th Street overpass. Installing large bridge girders often requires lane closures and temporary detours for safety while heavy equipment is used and concrete or steel elements are lifted into place. Carrying out such lifts overnight minimises disruption to daytime traffic but shifts delays into the late evening and early-morning hours.
Night operations can reduce overall construction time and lessen daytime congestion, but they can also concentrate noise and traffic impacts into a narrow window. The ministry’s advisory emphasises traffic-control measures to protect workers and road users.
Plan ahead and stay informed
Commuters, commercial drivers and anyone planning to travel through Delta overnight on Aug. 21 or 22 should consider alternative timing or routing. Local drivers should also monitor updates from the Ministry of Transportation and Transit and follow posted detours.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Closure area | Northbound Highway 99 between Highway 91 and Highway 17 |
| Dates | Aug. 21 and Aug. 22, 2026 |
| Times | 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. |
| Detour | Highway 91 → Highway 17 |
| Southbound lanes | Remain open |
As Delta continues to balance infrastructure upgrades with the daily rhythms of residents and commercial traffic, these overnight closures are an acute example of the trade-offs communities face: short-term inconvenience for longer-term connectivity improvements. Motorists are urged to drive carefully through the area and heed traffic-control personnel who are directing vehicles while the overpass work is completed.
