The Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce has stated that the recent approval of $2.64 billion toward the Fraser Valley Highway 1 Corridor Improvement Program is a welcome announcement both locally and for the region.
The funding – which is part of this year's budget – will improve Highway 1 between Mt. Lehman Road and Highway 11 in Abbotsford. Elements of the work include highway widening to add HOV/electric-vehicle lanes in each direction, a new Highway 11 interchange and replacement of a crossing at Peardonville Road. The overall project will eventually see the highway expanded through the Sumas Prairie in Abbotsford toward Chilliwack.
$2.6 billion committed today for the next section of Hwy1!
— Alex Mitchell MBA (@alexandriamitch) August 14, 2024
The Chamber has been a tireless advocate for the expansion of Highway 1. Today’s news is good for business and good for the people of the Fraser Valley.#bcpoli #HWY1 pic.twitter.com/H3XS6oiJca
B.C. Premier David Eby announced the funding on Wednesday (Aug. 14).
The ACOC said that they, along with other Fraser Valley chambers, have been advocating for the widening for years. Last August saw chambers from Abbotsford, Langley Township/City, Mission, and Chilliwack release a joint statement calling for “shovels in the ground” and a provincial promise to fund a further expansion, in order to “ensure the continued growth, and mobility of business and economic activity across the region.”
"Abbotsford’s business community is growing and plays an essential role in the region, being home to the Abbotsford International Airport, University of the Fraser Valley, and other regional assets,” Alex Mitchell, CEO of the ACOC stated at that time. “Key transportation infrastructure has fallen behind, making this one of the top economic issues facing our community.”
“Chilliwack is growing rapidly, but traffic is growing and the increased congestion is slowing down not only commuters but the commercial trucks that account for 8.5 per cent of all traffic through the valley corridor,” said Leanna Kemp, executive director of the Chilliwack Chamber last August. “Widening Highway 1 through the Fraser Valley is essential to ensuring safety, reliability, and efficiency for our truck transportation and commuters in and out of the Lower Mainland.”
HIGHWAY 1 UPDATE 🏗️
— Abbotsford Chamber (@ACOC) August 15, 2024
Following years of chamber advocacy, new provincial funding continues phased expansion of critical corridor with $2.65 billion from Mt Lehman Road in Abbotsford through to the Highway 11 connection with Mission.
Read our Statement: https://t.co/OuxLuzFPjZ pic.twitter.com/jB5Cl5pKky
The ACOC added that with 80,000 vehicles using the corridor daily, and $65 billion in goods transported annually, the importance of Highway 1 and the negative impact of congestion, traffic and delays cannot be overstated.
Mitchell said the funding will be a positive for Abbotsford and the region.
“This dedicated funding for construction will support the businesses and people that drive our growing region, meaning more Abbotsford workers, residents and businesses can get where they are going faster and safer,” she said. “The Chamber has been advocating for this for many years, and now that the funding has been committed, we need to see a plan to expedite construction as fast as possible to keep Fraser Valley businesses moving.”
The funding will result in widening of the highway to add HOV lanes and bus-on-shoulder lanes in each direction, and replacement of the Peardonville Road overpass and Highway 11 Interchange.
With files from: Wolf Depner and Jennifer Feinberg/Black Press Media
