The expanded pedestrian walkway over the CP railway has finally been completed. The 500-metre strip on the east side of Highway 11, just south of the Lougheed Highway, was a long sought-after project to improve safety for those crossing the railway to and from the Junction Shopping Centre in downtown Mission.
"It's a significant investment mainly to pedestrian safety, and in terms of mobility, it allows people to get over the railway safely and the Junction mall, which improves business," said Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton.
Part of the District of Mission's downtown revitalization plan, the $2.3 million walkway funded by the provincial government has been a Mission council priority for years.
The walkway consists of a two-metre wide aluminum structure adjacent to the highway that safely separates pedestrians from road traffic.
The construction also included a structural widening and seismic upgrade of the rail overpass.
"It's piece by piece that you make improvements to the community for pedestrians, and this was an important piece," said Dalton.
The provincial government held an official ceremony in the summer signifying the upcoming completion of the walkway. The government is not planning another event.