Overpasses have been built, roads are being widened and bridges replaced, and a vision is in place to greatly enhance transit in the years ahead.
But what does that mean for the people who do business in and around Langley?
Each year, the Township of Langley’s Economic Development department offers a forum to educate local business people and the general public about issues that affect them.
This year the event will focus on the future of transportation in the area.
The fourth annual Langley Economic Forum will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at the Langley Events Centre, 7888 – 200 Street. The forum runs from 11:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and a free lunch will be provided. To attend, RSVP to econdev@tol.ca or 604-533-6152 by Oct. 15.
Guest speakers will include Paul Cordeiro, manager of Transportation Engineering for the Township of Langley; Andrew Hind, senior transportation engineer for the Province; Bryan Yu, economist with Central 1 Credit Union and Sany Zein, director of Infrastructure and Network Management for TransLink.
“This is an opportunity for people to learn what is being done to improve transportation for commuters in our area, how we can move people and goods more effectively, and what this means for the services our businesses provide,” said Township Economic Development Manager Gary MacKinnon.
With the Township’s population expected to almost double in the next 30 years, infrastructure is being built and plans put in place now to ensure that the public can move through the community and the region safely and efficiently.
In the past year, a number of overpasses that separate trains from traffic have been completed as part of the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor Project. Langley Township’s Mufford/64 Avenue at Hwy 10 Overpass opened this summer and the new 232 Street overpass was completed in the spring as part of the RBRC partnership. New crossings have also been built at 192 and 196 Streets and 54 Avenue.
Other recent transportation enhancements in Langley Township include the replacement of the Nicomekl Bridge on 56 Avenue and the ongoing widening of Fraser Highway. As well, a transportation vision that would see Light Rail Transit service created between Langley and Surrey has been approved by the Mayors’ Council on Regional Transportation.
“All of these projects will help ease congestion and reduce travel times, making it easier to conduct business in this area,” said MacKinnon. “We encourage business people and members of the public to attend the forum and find out what else is in store as our community’s transportation networks are enhanced for the future.”