Design work is underway for Highway 9 shoulder enhancement and resurfacing project that will provide a safer, smoother and more efficient ride for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. Highway 9 is an important north-south travel route in the Fraser Valley through the District of Kent, connecting communities," said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone. "We are always looking at ways to improve our infrastructure and upgrade routes to link communities and make travel safer year round. This shoulder widening and resurfacing work will benefit drivers, cyclists and pedestrians by making this a safer, smoother roadway."
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is in the design phase, working closely with the District of Kent, the Village of Harrison Hot Springs and local First Nations bands. The team intends to hold a stakeholder engagement session with the local communities during the summer of 2017.
"We are are actively working to promote a safer and better connection for the residents who live and work in Agassiz, Kent, and Harrison" said MLA for Chilliwack-Kent Laurie Throness.
In the summer months, these communities are seeing a great deal more vehicle traffic, along with more cyclists on the road. This project will create a safer, more efficient link for all travellers. The safety enhancement project will cover a 5.3 kilometre stretch of Highway 9 from Highway 7 at Evergreen Drive in Agassiz to Highway 9 at Macpherson Road in Harrison. The shoulders will be widened on both sides of the highway, to provide a safer connection for cyclists and pedestrians.
Design work is currently underway and being advanced by the project team. Construction will be phased and prioritized once all stakeholder input has been considered and the design is complete. Rehabilitating highways, bridges and side roads is a key priority in B.C. on the Move, B.C's 10-year transportation plan. Over the next three years, the ministry and its partners are investing over $4.6 billion in priority transportation investments as part of this plan.