The District of Mission wants to re-route truck traffic on First Avenue and re-designate it as a municipal road.
District officials have met with the provincial ministry of highways five times recently, and truck traffic on First Avenue has been an ongoing issue, said Mayor Ted Adlem at last week’s town hall meeting inside council chambers.
“We want them to go on the Murray Street overpass then connect to Highway 7 and 11,” explained Adlem, adding North Railway Avenue would continue to be the provincial highway through town.
So far Mission’s biggest success with the ministry is building a pedestrian walkway to the Junction Mall, which is currently being constructed.
About 25 residents attended the meeting to ask council questions and express their concerns regarding district business.
Aside from traffic downtown, other topics discussed included the Sturgeon on the Fraser development, the off-leash dog park, and drainage at the Mission Sports Park.
Adlem stated Sturgeons on the Fraser owner Howard Meakin still plans to proceed with the development, but has had difficulty finding financing.
“I believe he’s found it now,” said Adlem, who didn’t know when the next steps for the project will be taken.
Michelle Roberts, who recently moved to Mission with her husband, asked why there are no gates at the off leash dog park at the corner of 11 Avenue and Taulbut Street. She explained even the most well-behaved pooch could be distracted and chase after squirrels darting across the road.
Director of parks and recreation Maureen Sinclair explained the issue has come up before, and at the time the park was built, most people said a gate was not required.
“We can look at it again,” she offered.
Sinclair also stated she would look into properly repairing the baseball diamonds at the Sports Park and produce a report to council.
Another newcomer to Mission, who is a regular cyclist, congratulated the district on the well-marked bike signs which has helped him navigate through local streets.
Town hall meetings are held several times a year to give citizens an opportunity to give council input or raise questions in an informal setting.