City Launches Maple Ridge Moves Campaign to Secure Funding for Key Infrastructure Projects
City Launches Maple Ridge Moves Campaign to Secure Funding for Key Infrastructure Projects
Maple Ridge, B.C.: On Wednesday, September 13, Maple Ridge Council launched the Maple Ridge Moves campaign, aimed at securing provincial and federal funding for priority infrastructure projects that will improve access to frequent public transit service, new housing, jobs and green spaces in the community. The City of Maple Ridge is ready and willing to welcome Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) – a new technology proposed in TransLink’s new 10-year expansion plan. BRT is one component of the Maple Ridge Moves Plan which will also see three other projects prioritized for partnership with other levels of government. “With the Maple Ridge Moves plan, the City is taking action to ensure our community is positioned to manage population growth and a strong economy, while preserving the quality of life that our residents cherish,” said Mayor Dan Ruimy. “Maple Ridge is ready to be one of the first in the region to bring Bus Rapid Transit to the city. The transportation improvements in the Maple Ridge Moves plan will enable residents to have access to faster and more frequent buses, better connecting the city centre to the rest of the Lower Mainland.” The four projects identified in the City’s Maple Ridge Moves Plan include:
• TransLink’s development of Bus Rapid Transit lines along the northeast corridor to deliver new traffic separated bus routes linking both west to Coquitlam and south to Langley to
connect with regional commuter rail networks. The two BRT lines are part of TransLink’s 10-year Access for Everyone plan.
• Enhancement and capacity expansion of Golden Ears Way west of 210 Street to unlock a critical bottleneck for the movement of goods and people in and out of the region.
• Construction of a new bridge at 240 Street across the South Alouette River to create a more direct access to Golden Ears Park and the growing Silver Valley neighbourhood. This will create a resilient alternate route out of the park and for neighbourhoods on the forest interface that are currently limited to a single road.
• Expansion of Abernethy Way east with three phases remaining on the project: to 256 Street (Phase One: 224 to 230Street, Phase Two: 232 to 240Street and Phase Three: 240 to 256 Street) to open up key regional industrial lands and create a new, more direct route to Golden Ears Park, BC’s most visited provincial park.
The Maple Ridge Moves plan offers substantial short-term and long-term benefits. The City is already committed to expanding the Abernethy Road network from 224 Street through to 230 Street, a project that is expected to be completed in early 2025. “These projects support the growth of housing, jobs and sustainability both in the short and long term,” said Mayor Ruimy. “With this announcement, we will be seeking meetings with senior government colleagues to get these projects funded and built as fast as we can. Our goal is that by identifying a suite of smart and strategic projects that offer specific benefits locally and regionally, we will be able to move quickly from concept to construction.” Mayor Ruimy noted that “our community is the best place to champion the Bus Rapid Transit concept with separated lanes to move citizens from our growing civic centre to the centre of our neighbours in the Tri-Cities and Langley areas. Transit and growing the density along these routes go together to help create the housing and access that we need in the region. As we work to speed up the efficiency of bus transit service, we are providing more options for people to get around.” He continued “UBCM is the perfect opportunity to advocate for these projects. We will be looking to head to Victoria and Ottawa this Fall to secure support for these initiatives. We are also looking forward to working with our local Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Business Improvement Association to help get these priorities in front of key provincial and federal partners.”
“It is wonderful to see the bold action being taken by Mayor and Council to work with other levels of government in securing critical transportation and infrastructure projects that will make doing business better in the city,” said Kristi Maier, Executive Director of the Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce. “These projects will mean more people can get to work more easily, will create more jobs and enable the critical movement of goods to market. The Chamber is in full support and look forward to working with the City on our mutual goals.”
The City has launched a web page at www.mapleridge.ca/moves to provide information on these
priority infrastructure projects.
• TransLink’s development of Bus Rapid Transit lines along the northeast corridor to deliver new traffic separated bus routes linking both west to Coquitlam and south to Langley to
connect with regional commuter rail networks. The two BRT lines are part of TransLink’s 10-year Access for Everyone plan.
• Enhancement and capacity expansion of Golden Ears Way west of 210 Street to unlock a critical bottleneck for the movement of goods and people in and out of the region.
• Construction of a new bridge at 240 Street across the South Alouette River to create a more direct access to Golden Ears Park and the growing Silver Valley neighbourhood. This will create a resilient alternate route out of the park and for neighbourhoods on the forest interface that are currently limited to a single road.
• Expansion of Abernethy Way east with three phases remaining on the project: to 256 Street (Phase One: 224 to 230Street, Phase Two: 232 to 240Street and Phase Three: 240 to 256 Street) to open up key regional industrial lands and create a new, more direct route to Golden Ears Park, BC’s most visited provincial park.
The Maple Ridge Moves plan offers substantial short-term and long-term benefits. The City is already committed to expanding the Abernethy Road network from 224 Street through to 230 Street, a project that is expected to be completed in early 2025. “These projects support the growth of housing, jobs and sustainability both in the short and long term,” said Mayor Ruimy. “With this announcement, we will be seeking meetings with senior government colleagues to get these projects funded and built as fast as we can. Our goal is that by identifying a suite of smart and strategic projects that offer specific benefits locally and regionally, we will be able to move quickly from concept to construction.” Mayor Ruimy noted that “our community is the best place to champion the Bus Rapid Transit concept with separated lanes to move citizens from our growing civic centre to the centre of our neighbours in the Tri-Cities and Langley areas. Transit and growing the density along these routes go together to help create the housing and access that we need in the region. As we work to speed up the efficiency of bus transit service, we are providing more options for people to get around.” He continued “UBCM is the perfect opportunity to advocate for these projects. We will be looking to head to Victoria and Ottawa this Fall to secure support for these initiatives. We are also looking forward to working with our local Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Business Improvement Association to help get these priorities in front of key provincial and federal partners.”
“It is wonderful to see the bold action being taken by Mayor and Council to work with other levels of government in securing critical transportation and infrastructure projects that will make doing business better in the city,” said Kristi Maier, Executive Director of the Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce. “These projects will mean more people can get to work more easily, will create more jobs and enable the critical movement of goods to market. The Chamber is in full support and look forward to working with the City on our mutual goals.”
The City has launched a web page at www.mapleridge.ca/moves to provide information on these
priority infrastructure projects.
