Richmond Receives over $2 million through Gas Tax Fund Partnership for Cycling and Pedestrian Improvements
14 August 2007
Richmond residents can expect less traffic congestion and cleaner air thanks to over $2 million the city will be receiving from the federal Gas Tax Fund to fund cycling and pedestrian improvements along the Canada Line corridor. The funding announcement was made today by Member of Parliament for Langley Mark Warawa, on behalf of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, together with MLA for Richmond-Steveston John Yap and UBCM President Brenda Binnie, who were joined by Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie and other members of Richmond City Council. The City of Richmond was congratulated for its decision to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by investing in cycling and pedestrian enhancements that will complement the Canada Line rapid transit service and help preclude the need for increased road capacity.
“Canada’s New Government is working in partnership with the Province of British Columbia and the City of Richmond to address infrastructure needs in an environmentally sustainable way,” said MP Warawa. “This important investment will help Richmond improve its infrastructure, while supporting our government’s commitment to provide Canadians with cleaner air, economic opportunities, and an improved quality of life. Today’s announcement also complements our government’s investment in the Canada Line transit project.” The $2,037,400 in funding will help support construction of new elevated bicycle lanes along No. 3 Road from Granville Avenue to the Bridgeport Road. It will also support completion of a variety of pedestrian amenities, including new sidewalks along parts of the Canada Line corridor.
“Making our communities greener and improving accessibility for cyclists and pedestrians is important as we work towards minimizing our impacts on the environment,” said MLA Yap. “I’m pleased that through this partnership we are helping the City of Richmond reduce green house gas emissions.”
Canada’s New Government is providing $635.6 million to British Columbia from 2005 to 2010 through the Gas Tax Agreement. As part of its $33 billion “Building Canada” plan, the Government of Canada extended the Gas Tax Fund by an additional $2 billion per year nationally, from 2010 to 2014. The Gas Tax Agreement is administered in British Columbia by the Union of BC Municipalities.
"One of the keys to reducing greenhouse gases in our cities is creating alternative modes of transportation," said President Binnie. "The Gas Tax Agreement is bringing together three levels of government to create new transportation options for the people of Richmond."
The new bike lanes will address a significant gap in Richmond’s cycling network by introducing designated bike lanes within the City Centre. The separated lanes will provide an additional level of security for cyclists and it is anticipated that the new route will dramatically increase cycling levels in the community. The new bike route will provide direct access to Canada line stations in the City Centre as well as local and regional bus services that operate along No. 3 Road.
The project supports Richmond’s newly updated City Centre Area Plan, which supports Transit Oriented Development (TOD) as a means of promoting sustainable development, improving quality of life and reducing urban sprawl and greenhouse gas emissions.
“This project will further help support the transformation of our City Centre into a transit-oriented neighbourhood with dramatically reduced reliance on the car,” said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “Our City Centre will be more vibrant and sustainable and offer a fantastic quality of life for residents, workers and visitors.”
The work on the cycling and pedestrian improvements along No. 3 Road is expected to commence in March 2008 and will be completed in conjunction with the Canada Line, which is scheduled to begin service in late 2009.
Please visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca or www.civicnet.bc.ca for background information on the Canada – BC – UBCM Gas Tax Agreement.
Official News Release (French)
For more information:
| Natalie Sarafian Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Transport Infrastructure and Communities 613-991-0700 |
Paul Taylor Relationships and Communications Advisor Union of BC Municipalities 250-356-2938 |
Infrastructure Canada 613-948-1148 |
Ted Townsend Senior Manager Corporate Communications City of Richmond 604-276-4399 |
Marc Black Communications Manager Ministry of Community Services 250-356-6334 |
