Maple Ridge residents had their first look last week at plans to upgrade 232nd Street, from 132nd Avenue up into Silver Valley.
Construction won’t start until 2018, and there is another open house to follow.
But residents seemed OK with the city’s plans to rebuild two lanes, as well as put a three-metre-wide multi-use pathway on the east side, separated by a green strip, which includes a creek in some sections.
The west side of the road will have a 1.8-m-wide sidewalk, as well as a 1.8-m wide bicycle lane.
City engineer Dave Pollock said about 35 people showed up at the meeting and most of the comments were positive.
“It’s a challenge. It’s a road that has a fairly steep part to it.”
Initially, the road was planned to have four lanes, but projected traffic volumes show that two lanes are enough.
One advantage of putting a bicycle lane on the west side of the road is that it separates speeding downhill cyclists.
Meanwhile, the mulit-use pathway on the east side, or uphill side of the road will suit families, pedestrians and cyclists pedalling uphill.
Pollock said that engineers will start designing the roadway, which will followed by another open house.
TransLink is currently planning new bus routes into Silver Valley.