Transportation and Transit
The eastern section of the new South Fraser Perimeter Road, B.C.'s newest highway, opens to traffic tomorrow, announced the Honourable Ed Fast, Canada's Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway and B.C.'s Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Mary Polak. The new route will be numbered Highway 17 and will help to strengthen the economy by moving goods and people more safely and efficiently on the south side of the Fraser River.
"This Asia-Pacific Gateway project will not only strengthen the economy and quality of life for people in Metro Vancouver, it will also help facilitate increased exports from Canada to fast-growing Asian markets," said Fast. "This project is further proof that the partnerships and investments we've made in building the Asia-Pacific Gateway are creating jobs and economic growth in local communities, while ensuring the competitive advantages of the Asia-Pacific Gateway as the corridor of choice between North American and Asia continue to bring greater prosperity to B.C. and all of Canada."
"The South Fraser Perimeter Road will help meet the transportation needs of our growing communities and expanding markets by providing a four-lane expressway for commercial, commuter and tourism traffic," said Polak. "This new road is a huge benefit to families as it will pull commercial traffic away from community roads, easing congestion and improving travel time and safety."
The opening of the eastern section of the South Fraser Perimeter Road (SFPR) from Highway 1 at 176th St. to 136th St. in Surrey coincides with the opening of the new Port Mann Bridge to eight lanes of traffic and provides a free alternative to drivers who do not want to pay the bridge toll.
"The opening of the eastern section of the SFPR is welcome news for the B.C. trucking industry as it enhances access to industrial sites along the north shore of the Fraser," said Louise Yako, president and CEO, BC Trucking Association. "When completed, the SFPR will provide a critical link between industrial and port facilities and major highway routes, saving trucking companies time and money, which in turn will help to make our economy stronger."
Eastbound and westbound traffic on Highway 1 can access the SFPR via the 176th St. Interchange (Highway 15).
The remainder of the SFPR, from 136th St. in Surrey to Deltaport Way in Delta, will open to traffic in December 2013. Once complete, the SFPR will relieve congestion between the Port Mann, Pattullo and Alex Fraser bridges, and the George Massey Tunnel, providing route options for motorists travelling between Langley, Surrey, Delta and the Tsawwassen ferry terminal.
The SFPR is a key piece of B.C.'s transportation network, which will generate economic growth by connecting key port, rail and highway infrastructure, making the province more competitive.
The SFPR supports Canada Starts Here - The BC Jobs Plan. The plan is working to expand markets for B.C. products, particularly in Asia, and strengthen infrastructure to get our goods to market. The project will improve economic and business opportunities and lead to 7,000 long-term jobs in Delta and Surrey through improved industrial development opportunities along the corridor. In addition, more than 4,000 jobs are being created during construction of the entire project.
The Government of Canada through the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative provided $365 million towards the $1.26 billion project. The government of B.C. contributed the remaining $899 million.
A backgrounder follows.
Media Contacts:
Rudy Husny
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Ed Fast
Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
613 992-7332
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613 993-0055
Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241
BACKGROUNDER
South Fraser Perimeter Road
Once complete, the South Fraser Perimeter Road will be a new 40-km, four-lane, 80 km/hr route along the south side of the Fraser River from Deltaport Way in southwest Delta to 176th St. (Highway 15) in Surrey, with connections to highways 1, 17, 91, 99 and TransLink's Golden Ears Bridge connector road.
Opening Dec. 1 is the 10 km long eastern section of the SFPR, which runs from Highway 1 at 176th St. to 136th St. in Surrey.
On Dec. 1, the SFPR will officially be numbered Highway 17 and the existing Highway 17 from Tsawwassen ferry terminal to Highway 99 will be renumbered Highway 17A.
The SFPR has the largest environmental and agricultural mitigation and enhancement plan for a highway construction project of this size in B.C.
Learn More:
For a detailed SFPR map, visit: http://maps.sfprconstruction.ca/
For more information about the SFPR and the Gateway Program, visit:
http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/gateway/SFPR/sfpr.htm
For information about SFPR construction updates, visit:
http://www.sfprconstruction.ca/index.php
For more information on the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative, visit: http://asiapacificgateway.gc.ca/
Media Contacts:
Rudy Husny
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Ed Fast
Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
613 992-7332
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613 993-0055
Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241
