Langley Township council has approved up to $14 million in borrowing to upgrade or repair a selection of major culverts that are most in danger of failing.
At their Monday, Feb. 3 meeting, the council gave the go-ahead to a plan to borrow the funds to repair the 40 Avenue culvert, along with a dozen others.
"I'm really glad this is going ahead, because I don't want another 40 Avenue," said Councillor Tim Baillie.
He was referring to the fact that the culvert in the 21400 block of 40 Avenue suffered serious damage during an atmospheric river in October, and 40 Avenue has been closed ever since.
Coun. Misty VanPopta asked about the total number of culverts that are listed as either "critical" or "monitor/replace" by the Township, the two most serious statuses for culverts that have been inspected by the Township.
According to Township staff, there are 117 culverts on that list, out of more than 8,000 in the Township as a whole.
“I guess the risk being if we don’t start funding these proactively, we could have up to 100 road closures within Langley while we play catch up with trying to repair some of these critical items," VanPopta said.
The issue of 40 Avenue's closure has come up recently in meetings with the Langley School District, noted Coun. Steve Ferguson.
According to staff, new box culverts to replace the old structures under 40 Avenue have been secured, the Township is seeking permits from the provincial and federal authorities to work in the watercourse itself later this year, and the Township is also set to tender the work to contractors soon. The actual construction will have to wait for drier weather.
Coun. Kim Richter voted against the measure, having raised concerns about adding to the Township's debt.
Because of the length of the loan, there is an alternative approval process for the borrowing. Residents can petition against the Township taking the loan, but 10 per cent of electors would have to sign on – meaning more than 9,600 people would need to sign the petition. The petition process has a deadline of June 5.
The other sites up for repair are:
• 800-block of 216 Street
• 2200-block of 216 Street
• 24200-block of 63 Avenue
• 50 Avenue at 248 Street
• 8700-block of 252 Street
• 264 Street in Glen Valley
• 80 Avenue in Glen Valley
• 52 Avenue at 245A Street
• 6400-block of 200 Street
• 21700-block of 16 Avenue
• 22500-block of Telegraph Trail
• 25600-block of 24 Avenue
