Thousands of Tri-Cities residents need to go from 'A' to 'B' every day, whether that's taking transit to work, driving to another city or biking to a park.
With many infrastructure projects in the works, TransLink says its distributing funds for much-needed improvements in local communities and hopes it can ultimately provide smoother, more convenient commutes.
On Wednesday (Aug. 3), the transit authority announced its investing $5,080,975 towards 14 major road network projects (MRN) across Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra, by way of its municipal funding program.
They vary from constructing new, or improving on current, multi-use pathways (MUP), adding more sidewalks, upgrading signals and widening major roads.
"TransLink is committed to ensuring transportation throughout the region is as convenient and seamless as possible, regardless of how you primarily travel," explains CEO Kevin Quinn in a news release.
"Investing in cycling paths, walkways, and bus speed upgrades is just one of the ways we help to combat climate change by encouraging green transportation throughout Metro Vancouver."
Since its inception in 2017, the municipal funding program has helped complete 31 other Tri-Cities transportation upgrades and projects.
The latest investment is also part of a $130-million pot earmarked for 107 improvements across Metro Vancouver.
The Tri-Cities projects where TransLink is investing its new funding are as follows (in alphabetical and numerical order):
Anmore
- $191,000
- MRN MUP upgrades = Provide central MUP facility through village
Belcarra
- $84,000
- Bedwell Bay safety barriers - Phase Two = To install guard rails at five locations on MRN roads to improve safety
Coquitlam
- $2,261,000
- Regan Avenue Greenway = Construct greenway from Como Lake Park to Mundy Park
- $600,000
- Guildford multi-use pathway: City Centre to Port Moody = Extend Guildford Greenway from Port Moody to Pinetree Way
- $188,000
- Sidewalk program = Construct sidewalks at various locations in Coquitlam
- $150,000
- Network Screening Study - Intersection safety improvements = Construct MUP at David Avenue / Pipeline Road; Alter pavement markings and install AWF at Austin Avenue / Westview Street / Whiting Way; Modify signal at Austin Avenue / Linton Street
- $32,000
- North Road Bridge and Lougheed Highway Pedestrian Underpass seismic studies = Conduct seismic and geotechnical assessments on North Road Bridge and Lougheed Highway Pedestrian Underpass
- $30,975
- Cottonwood Avenue sidewalk = Construct sidewalk from 622 to 614 Cottonwood Avenue
- $28,000
- Coquitlam Central midblock exit with integrated signal operations = Install midblock RT signal and implement signal changes at Pinetree Way / Barnet Road / Lougheed Highway intersection
Port Coquitlam
- $680,000
- Lougheed Highway improvements = Transit improvements and MUPs on Lougheed Highway from Westwood Street to Shaughnessy Street
- $306,000
- Kingsway Avenue road widening and MUP = Widen Kingsway Avenue (Tyner Street to Kebet Way) and extend existing MUP east of the Mary Hill Bypass
Port Moody
- $461,000
- Shoreline Trail = Provide improvements to existing Shoreline Trail
- $40,000
- Barnet Highway Bridges seismic assessments = Assess seismic vulnerability of two bridges carrying the MRN over the CPR corridor at Barnet Highway west of Ioco Road
- $29,000
- Moody Centre traffic management = Modify traffic management techniques in Moody Centre area
