There was some dirt being thrown around in Surrey Wednesday, but it was all good news.
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke and Coun. Mike Bose, along with Telus and construction representatives, celebrated the start of phase 2 improvements along 32 Avenue from 176 to 184 Street with a groundbreaking, with the morning's rain letting up just prior to the 1 p.m. event.
"This project is part of a larger, multi-phase plan to improve transportation and goods movement into Campbell Heights, which is rapidly growing," Locke said, adding the first phase, upgrades from 184 to 188, have been recently completed. "Trucking is our economy on wheels, and these improvements are vital to keeping our economic engine moving forward — not just for Surrey, but for the entire province."
Construction on this next phase includes widening from two lanes to four lanes and adding new multi-use pathways for safer walking and cycling, she noted. "We're also upgrading the drainage to better manage the flow and support future development."
Locke said 32 Avenue is a key corridor for Campbell Heights and Surrey's major industrial area, which supports more than 7,000 jobs.
"Surrey possesses the most available industrial land in the region — approximately 365 hectares — and as the area continues to expand, improving access along this corridor is more important now than ever," said Locke. "And that's why we're investing over $22 million dollars across multiple phases to upgrade 32 Avenue with the support of our partners at TransLink."
She thanked TransLink representatives for their $7.2 million investment into the project.
"Together we are supporting our growing community, improving safety, and ensuring our community continues to thrive."
According to the city's website, the second phase is expected to be completed in 2026, followed by phase three, which will focus on 192 to 196 Street along 32 Avenue.
