COQUITLAM, B.C., March 7, 2024 – Investments that ensure safe transportation and reliable utility service needs for Coquitlam residents are top priorities for the City.
At a recent meeting, Coquitlam City Council received an update on transportation and utility system improvements made in 2023, and plans for the year ahead. A key focus of these efforts is responding to what the City heard from residents through the most recent Community Satisfaction Survey, where transportation was highlighted as one of the community’s top three priorities.
In 2023, the City dedicated nearly $54 million – one third of its annual capital budget – on maintaining, improving and expanding its transportation network and utility systems. This reflects a significant increase in investment in these areas since 2020, showing Coquitlam’s commitment to keep pace with the needs of a growing community.
2023 Highlights included:
- Streetscape upgrades: A number of projects across the community including 900 metres on Thomas Avenue from Nelson Creek to Casey Street.
- Road safety: Street lights, road barriers, and corner bulges as well as rapid flashing beacons at eight crossings.
- Sidewalks: 2.7 kilometres including 650 metres on the north side of Austin Avenue with support from a $500,000 BC Active Transportation Program grant.
- Greenways and micromobility projects: 2.1 kilometres, including 1.5 kilometres of the Guildford Greenway Project, and 575 metres on the north side of Lougheed Highway.
- Paving: 31.3 kilometres on local and collector roads, lanes and arterial routes.
- Water: 3.6 kilometres of water mains were replaced or upgraded, and a pressure-reducing valve installed as part of upgrades near Mariner Fire Station.
- Sewers: A section of sanitary sewer for Austin Heights and a sewer system on Cedar Drive.
- Drainage: Extension of the storm sewer system in Northeast Coquitlam to serve the eastern Partington Creek neighbourhood.
- Cedar Drive/Partington Creek Upgrades: Continued work on the multi-year project, including preparation for road construction and permits.
- Lougheed Bridge at Scott Creek: Bridge deck replacement and sidewalk widening.
The work is an important part of supporting Coquitlam’s proactive approach to asset management. It also ties in with a number of strategic goals and targets from City plans and strategies such as 50 per cent travel by active transportation or public transit by 2050, as outlined in the update to the Strategic Transportation Plan.
What’s Ahead for 2024
Highlights of the current investment in transportation and utility works for 2024 include:
- Active Transportation projects: Construction of Phase 2 and planning for Phase 3 of the Guildford Greenway and Micromobility Project, and planning for a number of active transportation projects in Southwest Coquitlam including Nelson Street (currently underway).
- Road safety: Six rapid flashing beacons, four new intersection signals, left-arrow signal upgrades at six locations, as well as comprehensive safety improvements at Pinetree Way and Guildford Way.
- Pipeline Road upgrades: Planning for Pipeline Road upgrades coordinated with Metro Vancouver’s water main upgrades. This road project is set to begin in 2025.
- Streetscapes: Street frontage upgrades such as curb, gutter and sidewalks on a variety of roads across the community including Dansey Avenue between Blue Mountain and Marmont streets.
- Utility works: Including upgrading the water and sanitary mains on Runnel Drive, a storm water treatment system for Stoney Creek at Oakdale Park, and continuing the Austin Heights sewer main project.
- Foster Water Pump Station: Upgraded pumps, generator and electrical system to improve water pressure near Mariner Fire Station.
- Cedar Drive/Partington Creek Upgrades: Continuing work on a multi-year drainage, environment and road project, including completing most of the drainage/habitat channel.
These essential infrastructure projects are funded through the City’s approved Capital Plan, financed by property taxes, utility fees, development fees as well as other revenues, reserves and grants from senior government. Project design is completed the year before construction to allow for early tendering, which leads to more competitive pricing.
Information can be found at coquitlam.ca/CapitalProjects.
Coquitlam’s Focus on Asset Management
The many programs and services that Coquitlam residents use every day rely on more than $4 billion in assets, including roads and utilities, vehicles and machinery, buildings and furniture, and equipment and technology. Keeping these public-owned assets working safely and reliably requires careful management and dedicated funding.
Coquitlam’s timely maintenance of assets is less costly in the long-term than deferring necessary maintenance or replacement, while also helping to ensure Coquitlam residents receive the high quality services they expect.
Media contact:
Mark Zaborniak
Manager Design and Construction
Engineering and Public Works
604-927-3500
epw@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.