Summary

• Completion of Highway 7 improvements between 266th Street and 287th Street marks the end of the last two-lane, undivided section of highway between Maple Ridge and Mission
• Benefits include reduced congestion, faster travel times, improved safety and enhanced active transportation infrastructure
• The project accommodates growing traffic volumes and strengthens regional connections for people, goods movement and local communities

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People travelling between Maple Ridge and Mission will experience faster, safer travel with the completion of Highway 7 improvements between 266th Street and 287th Street.

The project widens approximately four kilometres of Highway 7 from two lanes to four lanes, completing the last two-lane, undivided section of highway in the corridor. Improvements include a median barrier, wider shoulders to support active transportation and new turnaround facilities that improve safety and traffic flow.

“People in the Fraser Valley and surrounding communities rely on Highway 7 every day to get to work, school and important services,” said Lisa Beare, MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows, on behalf of Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit. “Completing these improvements means safer, more reliable travel, reduced congestion and better connections between Maple Ridge, Mission and communities throughout the region. This investment will support growing traffic demands and keep people and goods moving efficiently for years to come.”

Safer, more reliable travel for the region

The Highway 7 improvements provide additional capacity along a key transportation corridor, helping reduce delays and improve travel times for commuters, commercial vehicles and residents.

The project includes:

• expanding Highway 7 from two lanes to four lanes for approximately four kilometres between 266th Street and 287th Street
• installation of a median barrier to improve safety
• wider shoulders to support cyclists and other active transportation users
• new turnaround facilities that improve access and traffic operations

The upgraded corridor will better accommodate growth while enhancing safety and reliability.

Strong partnerships helped deliver the project

The Highway 7 improvements were delivered through collaboration between the Province, the Government of Canada and Kwantlen First Nation.

The project budget was more than $130 million, including a federal contribution of nearly $31 million, with the remaining funding provided by the Province.

“Highway 7 is a critical link for families and businesses across our region,” said Ron McKinnon, MP for Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam. “This investment in widening the corridor between 266th Street and 287th Street will cut congestion, move goods more efficiently along one of British Columbia’s most important trade routes and support the cleaner, more reliable transportation network our communities deserve. By improving traffic flow and reducing vehicle idling, this project contributes to a stronger, more competitive economy. I am proud that the Government of Canada is making this kind of targeted investment in the Tri-Cities and the Fraser Valley.”

The project also involved collaboration with Kwantlen First Nation throughout planning and construction, including habitat restoration partnerships and a cultural recognition initiative where Kwantlen artwork was installed on a retaining wall overlooking Highway 7. The design symbolizes the deep connection between the Kwantlen people and the lands the project sits on, reflecting their history, stewardship and ongoing presence.

Building a stronger transportation network

Completion of the Highway 7 improvements represents another milestone in the Province’s work to improve transportation infrastructure in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley.

The upgraded corridor will support regional growth, improve connectivity between communities and provide more reliable travel options into the future.

Quotes:

Paul Horn, mayor of Mission –

“For people in Mission, Highway 7 is more than a transportation corridor, it's how many of us get to work, connect with friends and family and access important services in our region. For years, this stretch of highway has been a bottleneck and a source of frustration for drivers. Completing these improvements means safer more predictable travel so we spend less time in our cars.”

Dan Ruimy, mayor of Maple Ridge –

“Anyone who regularly travels between Maple Ridge and Mission knows how important this stretch of Highway 7 is to residents, businesses and the regional economy. Completing these improvements means less time spent in traffic, safer trips and a better experience for the thousands of people who rely on this route every day. As our community continues to grow, investments in transportation infrastructure like this help ensure people can stay connected to jobs, services and opportunities across the region.”  

Learn More:

• To learn more about Highway 7 transportation improvements, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation-projects/other-transportation-projects/highway-7-widening