Feds invest in safety improvements for cyclists and pedestrians along Surrey’s King George Boulevard

Photo courtesy of Twitter (@CityofSurrey)

Randeep Sarai MP for Surrey Centre, and Brenda Locke, Mayor of Surrey, announced a federal investment of more than $6.5 million to make King George Boulevard safer for active transportation users.

This morning, Mayor Brenda Locke and Surrey Centre MP @randeepssarai announced a federal investment of more than $6.5 million to make King George Boulevard safer for active transportation users. pic.twitter.com/LktqSENHaX

— City of Surrey (@CityofSurrey) March 13, 2023

Pedestrian safety measures and protected cycling infrastructure will be put in place between 96^th and 108^th avenues. Planned pedestrian safety improvements include wider sidewalks, curb extensions, new crosswalks and accessible curb ramps. Modifications to traffic signals will also be completed to separate left turning vehicles, improve pedestrian visibility and protect vulnerable road users. The project will also introduce five kilometres of protected cycling lanes with concrete curbs to separate cyclists from vehicle traffic.

“Active transportation is important for growing and connecting communities, and for providing affordable and convenient travel alternatives. Improving safety for cyclists and pedestrians on this busy road is of paramount concern in this community. We are pleased to work with our partners to ensure residents can get to work, school, and other places they need to go safely while enjoying green transportation options- Randeep Sarai, MP for Surrey Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities.

This investment will enhance the safety of vulnerable road users, who account for nearly 70% of traffic injuries and deaths along King George Boulevard, and advance the city’s Vision Zero commitments. Once constructed, these corridor improvements are expected to reduce collisions and prevent over 100 injuries in three years.

“The fast-growing Surrey City Centre is undergoing a transformation from a suburban town centre to a walkable, high density, transit-oriented downtown. A key piece of that goal is to design streets that enable movement for all types of traffic. King George Boulevard contains six of the City’s top 50 high-collision intersections, with pedestrians and cyclists accounting for nearly 70 per cent of the injuries along the corridor. This funding will help improve pedestrian safety, provide a safe space for cyclists and more. I thank the federal government for its support in making this project possibl"-Brenda Locke, Mayor of Surrey.

Providing safe and continuous active transportation infrastructure in Surrey City Centre will also encourage more people to walk and bike along the corridor and create economic benefits for local businesses.