The first phase of Mission’s Seventh Avenue Greenway project is now fully funded after it received $1,431,480 in federal money following an announcement in Ottawa on Monday (Dec. 19).
Vancouver South MP Harjit Sajjan is the minister of international development and is also responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada. He announced the investment from the Active Transportation Fund to construct phase one of the Seventh Avenue Greenway, along with funding for information kiosks at Chilliwack’s Vedder Greenway.
“Accessible active transportation options are key to healthy, green, and inclusive communities,” Sajjan said in a statement. “The Government of Canada is proud to be supporting these essential community projects. The projects announced today will provide safe and inclusive routes for residents of Southwestern British Columbia, and encourage people to stay active.”
The Greenway is planned as a 6.5 km route that will provide a safe and convenient space for people who want more choice in how they move around the city for commuting, health, and leisure. It’s expected to be a friendly space for walking, cycling, skateboarding, and rollerblading, along with strollers and other active transportation.
READ MORE: 7th Ave Greenway Project’s gets design, provincial grant; construction to start this year
“More than ever, people need options for active mobility,” said Mission mayor Paul Horn said in a statement. “The Seventh Avenue Greenway will offer a clean, healthy, and affordable way for Mission to move. These funds help us to modernize a major uptown corridor without a local funding burden, so we are very thankful to receive such significant federal support.”
The two-phase project also received funding from the province with $500,000 for phase one as part of the Active Transportation Infrastructure grant.The total cost of phase one was $1.99 million, now fully funded by the federal and provincial governments.
The funding will go towards the construction of 1.6 km of active transportation infrastructure on the Seventh Avenue Greenway, including a protected two-way bike lane, floating bus stops and additional landscaping, according to an Infrastructure Canada news release.
“Phase two design is in the final stages, and construction is subject to future funding approvals,” the city said in a news release. “The Greenway will help to meet important focus areas in the Transportation Master Plan, and will also help the City support the Fraser Valley Regional District’s regional growth strategy.”
Contracts for the opening phase were recently awarded and construction is scheduled to begin early in 2023.
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dillon.white@missioncityrecord.com
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