Annual upgrade funding allotted to all 23 local governments for first time

TransLink is announcing the investment of $125 million into upgrading, maintaining, or building new regional walkways, cycling paths, and roads through our Municipal Funding Program. This program annually invests in infrastructure upgrades and maintenance that benefit pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and transit users throughout the region. For the first time since the program’s inception, all 23 local governments in Metro Vancouver will receive funding for various types of infrastructure improvements within their community.

The $125 million awarded this year will help construct or improve 131 projects throughout the region, while helping to upgrade or maintain over 2,600 kilometres of roads in the Major Road Network (MRN). Since the inception of the Mayors’ Council 10-Year Vision, TransLink has increased funding toward improving and maintaining regional walkways, cycle paths, and MRN roads and structures. This year’s finalized project list invests more into municipal projects than any previous year.

Project type – 2021 investment totals $125 million

• Walking, cycling, and multi-use paths (71 projects) – $36 million
• Roads, structures, and bus speed upgrades (60 projects) – $30.8 million
• Operation and Maintenance of the MRN – $58.2 million

Through our Municipal Funding Program, TransLink contributes up to 75 per cent of funding for upgrades benefitting 21 municipalities, the Tsawwassen First Nation, and Electoral Area A. For projects improving the efficiency of bus operations, TransLink may fund up to 100 per cent of the project costs. The program is part of the Mayors’ 10-Year Investment Plan, with funding from the Government of British Columbia and TransLink.

A few examples of infrastructure improvements receiving investments this year include:

• Bedwell Bay Road | Village of Belcarra | Multi-use pathway
  • TransLink is contributing $130,000 to the Village of Belcarra to help construct a multi-use path over a 12-block span of Midden Road to  enhance active transportation and road safety. This is one of three total investments for the Village of Belcarra through this program.
• 96 Ave Connector | Township of Langley | Multi-use pathway
  • TransLink is contributing $469,000 to the Township of Langley to construct a multi-use pathway to better connect regional cycling trails to the Golden Ears Bridge, Trans-Canada Trail, and neighbouring municipalities/tourist attractions. This is one of five total investments for upgrades in the Township of Langley through this program.
• 120 Street | Municipality of Delta | Intersection improvements
  • TransLink is contributing $122,000 towards road improvements and new traffic signals near the Scottsdale Centre. These signals will improve safety for pedestrians and drivers, while helping to manage increased traffic flows. This is one of eight total investments for upgrades in theMunicipality of Delta.

Since 2017, TransLink has invested in:

• 32 kilometres of new or upgraded walking paths
• 110 kilometres of new or upgraded cycle paths
• 69 kilometres of new or upgraded multi-use paths
• 31 kilometres of new or enhanced bus lanes
• 31 kilometres of new or upgraded road infrastructure

Quotes:

George Heyman, BC Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
“These projects will improve active and clean transportation options for people living in communities throughout Metro Vancouver. Through CleanBC, our province is supporting TransLink and helping build a cleaner, stronger future for everyone with less climate pollution, improved air quality and more connected people-friendly neighbourhoods.”

Jonathan X. Coté, Mayors’ Council Chair and Mayor of New Westminster
“Whether you primarily walk, cycle, drive, or take transit – this vital funding from the Mayors’ Vision connects our communities while supporting safe and efficient transportation for us all.”

Gigi Chen-Kuo, Interim CEO, TransLink
“Our mandate is to think holistically about our transportation network and ensure that the people of Metro Vancouver have many efficient transportation options available to them. Whether it’s helping to improve the sidewalks we walk on, the paths we roll on, or the roads we drive on – TransLink’s role goes far beyond transit.”