The city council in Surrey has given the green light to the largest ever transportation investment in the city's history.
At a meeting on Monday, the council gave the go-ahead for the $138 million extension project for 72 Avenue.
The improvements to the road will include creating a four-lane road with two lanes going in each direction, upgrading agricultural ditches, and adding a 1.5-meter space at the side for farm vehicles and cyclists.
The city's research indicates that the traffic capacity will be significantly increased to meet local needs.
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke stated, “This council realizes the importance of investing in road upgrades, and we have committed $300 million to improving our transportation network over the next four years.”
Mayor Brenda Locke added, “As our population continues to grow, making sure that travel options are efficient and reliable will not only benefit current residents but also meet the needs of the projected one million people expected to live in Surrey by 2042.”
It is anticipated that the 72 Avenue extension will cater to more than 37,000 vehicles per day and ease traffic congestion on east-west routes such as 64 Avenue and Highway 10, according to the city.
The city anticipates that Surrey’s population will grow by over 267,640 in the next 26 years, reaching a total of 884,380 by 2051.
The project forms part of the city’s short-term capital program for transportation, which aims to deliver $300 million in transportation investments over the next four years.
Surrey also aims to have 72 Avenue added to TransLink’s “Major Road Network.”
