Using the B.C. Parkway that snakes along underneath the SkyTrain line is generally a safe experience – until you hit an intersection.
Then things get dicey for pedestrians and cyclists from sometimes-reckless drivers thanks to some poor designs.
So, TransLink is working to fix some of those areas by spending $488,000 at five Burnaby intersections in 2019. This includes upgrading the crossings by providing elephant feet markings, curb extensions, lighting improvements and bicycle sensors.
Upgrades are coming to the BC Parkway intersections at:
- Patterson Avenue
- Wilson Avenue
- Nelson Avenue
- Macpherson Avenue
- Rumble Street
For Rumble, this follows $400,000 TransLink spent in 2018 on cycling upgrades from McKay Avenue to Royal Oak Avenue.
In all, nearly $100 million will be awarded this year by TransLink to help construct or improve 76 projects throughout the region, while helping to maintain over 2,700 kilometres of road lanes. Since the inception of the 10-Year Mayors’ Plan, TransLink has increased funding toward improving and maintaining regional walkways, cycle paths, and the Major Road Network. 2019’s finalized funding list invests more into municipal projects than any previous year.
Through municipal cost-share programs, TransLink contributes up to 75 per cent of funding for upgrades benefitting 21 municipalities, Electoral Area A, and the Tsawwassen First Nation. The program is funded by contributions from the Mayors’ 10-Year Investment Plan, the Government of Canada, and the Province of British Columbia.
Since 2017, this program has:
- Invested in 25 kilometres of new or upgraded walking paths
- Invested in 102 kilometres of new or upgraded cycle paths
- Invested in 17 kilometres of new or upgraded roads and infrastructure
- Maintained more than 1,700 traffic signals
Maintained more than 800 structures
