The City of Mission says the 7th Avenue Greenway Project now has a completed design, new funding from the provincial government, and the construction will start later this year.
Two rounds of engagement in 2021 supplied the city with hundreds of comments about “aspirations, concerns, and preferences” regarding the three design concepts on the project.
The feedback and further technical analysis has led city staff to select a design focusing on safety and traffic flow, while minimizing the parking and loading impacts. Details are now being finalized before sending a construction contract out to tender.
“One of the best parts of living in Mission is enjoying our outdoors, but for too long our options for active transportation have been limited and antiquated,” said Mayor Paul Horn. “By starting this Greenway Project, Mission is signaling a desire to think differently and to allow people new, healthy, and inexpensive ways to move around our community.”
The design will include significant safety features for pedestrians, accessibility and comfort, a two-way protected mobility lane, improvements for traffic flow, landscaping and other improvements.
On-street parking has also been retained on both sides of the road in the highest-demand areas, as well as all existing driveway accesses.
The city has received significant monies from the British Columbia Active Transportation Grant program, and the Phase One construction – from Grand Street to Heritage Park – will start in 2022.
Future extensions will add to the East Mission Heritage Greenway; when the project is completed, a continuous 6.5-kilometre connection will extend from Wren Street in the west to Dewdney Trunk Road in the east.
“Our provincial government’s investments in active transportation infrastructure help provide active and affordable travel choices for people commuting to the places they work, learn, play and socialize,” said Pam Alexis.