While the senior governments have stepped up to fix up a busy Maple Ridge road, the mayor is still looking for details that will give some clarity about exactly how the Haney Bypass will look after millions are spent.
MLAs Doug Bing and Marc Dalton and MP Dan Ruimy announced the $70 million for Lougheed Highway improvements from Pitt Meadows to Mission, but whether that will result in a wider Haney Bypass for the entire distance remains to be seen.
“I don’t think the four-laning is in there,” said Mayor Nicole Read. “We pushed for the full upgrade because we think it’s better to do everything at once.”
Staff are seeking more details so the city knows exactly what’s envisioned for the Maple Ridge part, including the improvements proposed for the 222nd Street and Kanaka Way intersections, she added.
Read said the bypass should be four lanes for safety reasons, for the entire distance.
Coun. Gordy Robson said the upgrades at 222nd Street will result in the new road being a metre or so from the Salvation Army building. That could then be the opportunity for the building to move.
“I don’t think we should be doing that. I’m pushing for the Salvation Army to move and to become our new, only shelter in town.”
He thinks the transportation ministry should buy the entire Salvation Army and spa and pool property, then rezone to allow a smaller residential component.
Robson pointed out with the improvements to the Lougheed Highway, the road is getting closer to being twinned all the way to Mission.
“We’re getting pretty close to having four lanes all the way to Mission. George Mussallem promised that in 1972,” he said.
“And I think every election since, it’s been promised.”
MLAs still haven’t identified a location for a permanent homeless shelter and supportive housing complex and recently announced that 30 of the 40 people at the temporary homeless shelter downtown, when it closes, will move to the Salvation Army this spring.
Both MLAs favour the Salvation Army becoming the operator for whatever new shelter is announced in Maple Ridge.