Road work is underway on 72nd Avenue in Clayton.
Just up from the Clayton Community Centre, the construction is part of Phase II of the massive 72nd Avenue corridor project.
“This road widening in Clayton is a crucial step of our multi-phase strategy to transform 72nd Avenue into a continuous east-west route,” Mayor Brenda Locke said in a city press release. “This project will help reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility across our city.”
Locke added that Surrey city council remains committed to investing in the infrastructure needed to support the city’s rapid growth.
“The 72nd Avenue corridor is the largest municipal road investment in B.C.’s history and we’re excited to move forward with this important project that will shape the future of our city and support sustainable growth for generations to come.”
The work is being done on 72nd Avenue between 188th Street and 196th Street. The work will see the road expanded to four lanes with 74 new parking spots added on adjoining roads, among other improvements.
This is Phase II of the entire 72nd Avenue Corridor Project. Phase I, already completed, included road work from Fraser Highway to 184th Street.
Phase II
Phase II includes several improvements: additional vehicle lanes (from two to four), new sidewalks, new bike lanes, dedicated left turn lanes at intersections, a new signalized intersection at 72nd Avenue and 188th Street, and a new pedestrian crossing on the west side of the 72nd Avenue and 189th Street intersection.
Rafael Villerreal, the city’s director of transportation, said the Clayton road improvements are unique in that 72nd Avenue is classified as an arterial road. These roads are designed for “efficient” regional travel across the city.
“While arterial roads typically do not accommodate on-street parking, the project acknowledges the high demand for parking in Clayton,” Villerreal noted. “To address this and offset the reduction of on-street parking caused by additional vehicle lanes, sidewalks, and bike lanes, the plan includes creating approximately 74 new on-street parking spaces on adjacent streets, while maintaining 97 existing spaces along 72nd Avenue.”
Corridor Project
The construction schedule for the major road projects along the 72 include: Phase 1—Fraser Highway to 184th Street, completed spring 2025; Phase 2—188th Street to 196th Street, to be completed by spring 2026; Phase 3—152nd Street to Highway 15, will be delivered in phases with first phase starting summer 2025; Phase 4—144th Street to 152nd Street, anticipated to begin fall 2025.
Surrey city council voted to approve Phase II in April. A contract for improvements in Clayton on 72nd between 188th and 196th Streets, worth just under $10 million, was awarded April 28 when city council voted to approve Corporate Report 2025-R090 at its regular council meeting.
The report, submitted by Scott Neuman, GM of the Engineering Department, recommended council award contract no. 1724-018-11 to Tybo Contracting Ltd. in the amount of $9,173,745 (including GST) for Arterial Widening from 188th Street to 196th Street along 72nd Avenue. Neuman recommended the expenditure authorization limit be set at $10,100,000 (including GST and contingency).
Funding for the project is available in the already approved 2025 Transportation and Utilities Budget.
According to the report, “transportation improvements are 85 per cent funded through Development Cost Charges (DCCs), with 15 per cent funding through General Revenue. The Utility work is funded 55 per cent through DCCs and 45 per cent through General Revenue.”
