Work on Highway 7 has officially begun to improve safety and reduce congestion for people travelling through Mission, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.

“I am pleased to see that work is getting underway on these vital upgrades to Highway 7,” said Jati Sidhu, MP for Mission–Matsqui–Fraser Canyon, on behalf of Amarjeet Sohi, federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “Not only will these improvements help people get around faster and more safely, they will help drive our economy today and lay the foundations of growth for tomorrow.”

“Highway 7 is an important link for people who live in the Mission and Maple Ridge areas, and for everyone who travels to and from the Lower Mainland,” said Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “We are making these improvements to make it safer to travel on this section of road, and to accommodate increasing traffic along this stretch.”

Through this project, just over three kilometres of Highway 7, between Silverdale Avenue and Nelson Street in Mission, will be widened from two to four lanes, with a new median barrier. The upgrade will also include a turnaround at Silverdale Avenue, to accommodate drivers needing to head back west.

“It’s wonderful to see construction starting on this important project to make Highway 7 safer for people,” said Bob D’Eith, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission. “The upgrades to this busy stretch of the highway will help keep traffic flowing safely, and the new concrete median barrier will reduce the chance of crossover accidents.”

Stuart Olson Construction Ltd. of Richmond has been awarded the $22-million contract. Work is expected to be completed in fall 2019. Timbro Contracting of Agassiz began early site preparation work in mid-February.

The ministry is committed to ensuring traffic delays related to construction are kept minimal, particularly in peak commuter periods, with crews working off the highway during the day or at night. Motorists are asked to watch for workers, and check for up-to-date traffic advisories at: www.drivebc.ca

This project is part of $70 million in safety and capacity improvements for Highway 7 through Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and Mission, cost-shared between the provincial and federal governments. The Government of Canada is contributing up to $22.45 million, and the Province is supplying the remaining $47.55 million.