| May 26, 2010 WEST VANCOUVER – Work is set to begin on a new Marine Drive overpass and new westbound transit-only lane along Marine Drive, improving traffic flow at the north end of the Lions Gate Bridge and getting commuters where they need to go, faster. “These improvements will allow for improved transit service and traffic flow along the Marine Drive corridor. Combined with the recently tendered construction of the new Capilano Bridge, this will significantly reduce travel times to and from the Lions Gate Bridge,” says West Vancouver-Capilano MLA Ralph Sultan. “This is not only good news for drivers and commuters, but it provides important job opportunities and economic activity for the area.” “I know that residents appreciate any investments we can make that improve traffic flow through these areas,” says West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Joan McIntyre. “Less time commuting means more quality time spent with families.” “This is a flagship illustration of cooperation between our government and the Government of BC to bring jobs to families through the form of much-needed infrastructure,” says West Vancouver-Sea to Sky-Sunshine Coast MP John Weston. “Anyone who has travelled through the Marine Drive corridor can appreciate these improvements.” Motorists will soon see the construction of a temporary overpass just east of the existing Marine Drive overpass. This temporary structure and the staging of construction will allow three lanes of traffic to be maintained during construction of a new five-lane overpass, which will replace the current aging structure. A westbound transit-only lane will be added to Marine Drive from Tatlow Avenue in North Vancouver to the Lions Gate Bridge, with improvements to the Lions Gate transit queue jump. A subsequent phase of the project will include the addition of a transit-only lane eastbound toward the Lions Gate Bridge from approximately 11th St. in West Vancouver to Taylor Way. TransLink is helping fund these transit lane improvements. The work is part of the overall $40-million Marine Drive Transit Priority project, to which the Province is contributing $22 million. An update on the replacement of the Old Capilano Bridge is available on the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s website at http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/highwayprojects/Old_Capilano_Bridge/updates.htm The federal contribution of $18 million to this project comes from the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which provides funding to provincial, territorial and municipal construction-ready infrastructure projects. Since March 2009, almost 400 projects have received a total federal investment of over $490 million under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund across British Columbia. Since October 2008, over $5.3 billion has been committed for accelerated capital projects across British Columbia, which is estimated to generate more than 34,000 construction jobs over the life of the projects. Visit John’s website at www.johnweston.ca/ Visit Joan’s website at www.joanmcintyremla.bc.ca -30- | |
| © 2007 Government Caucus of British Columbia. All Rights Reserved. |