New provincial funding continues phased expansion of critical corridor and priority for local business alliance
FRASER VALLEY – Business leaders from the Fraser Valley are welcoming the announcement of a $2.65 billion investment from the Province to fund Highway 1 expansion through from Mt Lehman Road in Abbotsford through to the Highway 11 connection with Mission – the fourth part of the phased widening of the critical corridor.
The Fraser Valley Business Coalition – comprised of the Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley and Mission chambers of commerce – has identified the expansion of Highway 1 as a key priority for the region, and has advocated for the provincial government to expedite its widening and expansion through the Fraser Valley and out to Chilliwack. With 80,000 vehicles using the corridor daily, and $56 billion in goods transported annually, the importance of Highway 1 and the negative impact of congestion, traffic and delays cannot be overstated.
This $2.65 billion announcement 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. Procurement will begin in 2025 and major construction will start in 2026, with completion targeted for 2031.
“The Coalition has been a vocal advocate on the need for dedicated funding and expedited transportation funding from the Province, so this is welcome news for. Abbotsford’s economy runs on Highway 1, and this new investment to widen the highway through to Highway 11 will mean more Abbotsford workers, residents and businesses can get where they are going faster and safer,” adds Alex Mitchell, CEO of the Abbotsford Chamber.
“Highway 11 provides a critical link for Mission to Highway 1 and thus the rest of the region and province, but the current infrastructure doesn’t meet the needs of Mission’s growing economy. This expansion and the new interchange will be a welcome improvement,” says Miriam Bozman, Executive Director of the Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“Congestion and traffic on Highway 1 delays workers from getting to their jobs, holds up shipments from making it to market, and slows down service businesses and tradespeople from getting to their job sites. Langley deserves infrastructure that meets our needs and supports our growth, so we’re pleased to see this project continuing to move forward,” says Cory Redekop, CEO of the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce.
“Highway 1 is a critical corridor for business, trade and commerce – and for too long has been slow, inefficient and congested. We welcome this announcement but will continue to push for the expansion through to Chilliwack that our community needs,” adds Leanna Kemp, Executive Director of the Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce.
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About the Fraser Valley Business Coalition
Four chambers of commerce (Langley, Abbotsford, Chilliwack and Mission), representing thousands of private sector business members from across the Fraser Valley have united as the Fraser Valley Business Coalition. The Coalition serves as a unified voice addressing the critical issues facing the business community across the Fraser Valley region. Together, the Coalition will work to advocate for the shared needs of Fraser Valley businesses.
For more information:
Alex Mitchell
CEO
Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce
[email protected] / 604 446 5061
Miriam Bozman
Executive Director
Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce
[email protected] / d: 604 286 0114 / c: 778 344 4446
Leanna Kemp
CEO
Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce
[email protected] / d. 604 761 5919 / o. 604 793 4323
Cory Redekop
CEO
Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce
[email protected] / o. 604 371 3770 / c. 604 318 0420
