SURREY City Council on Monday approved a $744K contract to Aplin and Martin Consultants Ltd. to design the 72 Avenue Extension from 152 Street to 176 Street. The 72 Avenue Extension is a critical infrastructure project that will provide a new corridor for traffic, improve agricultural access, and enhance the overall safety of the area.
“I am thrilled to see this landmark project begin,” said Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke on Thursday. “The 72 Avenue extension, with an estimated cost of $138 million, marks a major milestone in the City’s history as the largest municipal transportation investment to date. This transformative project will have far-reaching benefits, not only enhancing traffic flow and alleviating congestion in the area, but also significantly improving the overall quality of life for our residents and commuters.”
She added: “The 72 Avenue extension will be a crucial artery in our regional transportation network, efficiently connecting people and goods across our city and beyond. I am proud to say that my Council is taking a bold and proactive approach to shaping our future and ensuring Surrey remains a thriving hub for living, working, and doing business.”
The 72 Avenue improvements will see the construction of a four-lane road with two travel lanes in each direction, improved agricultural ditches, and wider shoulders to accommodate farm vehicles and cyclists. This scenario, based on traffic modelling, ensures adequate traffic capacity well into the future while addressing the needs of both transportation users and the farming community.
The corridor is expected to have regional significance, providing a continuous connection between Highway 91 to Highway 15 and offering a desirable route into Langley and Maple Ridge. Given its importance for the movement of people and goods throughout the region, the City will be seeking designation to the TransLink Major Road Network for the 72 Avenue corridor.
Public consultation will take place in early fall to share more information about the project with the public. The preliminary design phase is expected to be completed by the end of 2024, with construction anticipated to commence in multiple phases starting in fall 2025. Funding for this Contract is available in the approved 2024 Transportation Budget.
Read more about the 72 Avenue extension here. Learn more about the City’s Capital Construction Program at surrey.ca/construction.