The City of Burnaby announced that work has officially begun on the highly anticipated Burnaby Lake Overpass, which will create a critical north-south link between key regional trail networks and destinations within Burnaby.
“Our community has ambitious goals for changing the way we move throughout Burnaby—and we’re committed to delivering on the vision of a true city-wide active transportation network,” said Mayor Mike Hurley. “The Burnaby Lake Overpass is key to unlocking our transportation network and making it easier for people of all ages to hop on a bike and travel around our city.”
The overpass will cross over Highway 1 between Glencarin Drive and Claude Avenue, establishing a safe and comfortable crossing for residents, commuters and visitors near popular destination areas in Burnaby.
The new overpass supports the three key targets outlined in Connecting Burnaby: Burnaby’s Transportation Plan adopted by council in 2021:
- Vision Zero – reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 100%
- Mode Split – have ¾ of all trips made by public transit and active transportation; and
- Zero Emissions – reduce vehicle emissions by 100%
- Crews are currently conducting site preparation work in anticipation of breaking ground in early 2024.
The project is supported by a $6.87 million funding contribution from the Government of Canada and the Province of BC through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
“The Burnaby Lake Overpass is a crucial active transportation project connecting commuters north and south over Highway 1,” said Terry Beech, Minister of Citizens’ Services and MP for Burnaby North-Seymour. “This leverages our existing infrastructure and is a testament to what we can accomplish when all levels of government work together.”
“This is an exciting project for the people of Burnaby and others who use regional trail networks to get around the lower mainland,” said B.C. Minister of State for Infrastructure and Transit Dan Coulter. “The Province is delighted to invest in a project that will provide reliable and accessible connections between communities and park spaces, reduce congestion, and help people choose cleaner modes of travel.”
Featured image: Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley and Councillors Maita Santiago, Richard T. Lee and James Wang were joined by local MLA Katrina Chen and school trustee Larry Hayes, as well as members of the City’s Transportation Committee, City staff and other project team members delivering the Burnaby Lake Overpass project, to celebrate the project milestone, Friday, September 29, 2023. (City of Burnaby)
