TransLink has selected 51 infrastructure projects across Metro Vancouver that will be in line for funding under the Mayors’ Council 10-Year Vision.
Each of the projects will get a slice of $23 million in funding which comes from phase one of the 10-year plan.
In announcing the funding, TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond said Tuesday that the projects are aimed at improving pedestrian, cycling and road infrastructure while cutting congestion.
Most of the projects are modest in scale, and designed to be completed quickly, Desmond said.
“Some of the projects will have very low impacts some a little more. None of them are major kinds of projects, as if you’re going to build a new highway or something or new road.”
Front and centre in the announcement are new bike lanes, with funding for a multi-use cycling path on West Keith Road in North Vancouver, road widening and new bike lanes in Delta, a separated bike lane on 100 Avenue in Surrey, and a new park with multi-use path along Willingdon Avenue in Burnaby.
Other upgrades include road widening and raised medians and sidewalks for 64th Avenue in Surrey, road widening along Fraser Highway in Langley, road widening and new sidewalks to connect to the Port Haney West Coast Express station in Maple Ridge, and pedestrian and intersection upgrades at the Knight Street-Southeast Marine Drive interchange.
“These improvements will build upon existing connections and improve accessibility for all users,” Desmond said.
Desmond said another $130 million is earmarked for similar projects over the next two years.
On top of the money for capital projects, TransLink is also providing $41.8 million, this year’s annual payout to the region’s municipalities to operate and maintain their network of major roads.
That money can be used as each city sees fit for projects ranging from street cleaning and snow removal to patching potholes, maintaining streetlights or repaving.
Municipalities get funding based on how many kilometres of key arterial roads fall within their boundaries.