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Langley City wants feds to pick up larger share of tab for future mega-projects

City residents paid far more per capita for Roberts Bank Rail Corridor overpasses than Surrey or Langley Township

The City of Langley is asking the federal government to provide more funding for national infrastructure projects that benefit more than just Langley residents.

Currently, the Build Canada grant program shares the cost of projects equally between the province, the municipality and the federal government at one third each.

But for projects of national significance, such as the Roberts Bank Railway Corridor upgrade, where the increased trade benefits the entire country, council feels the federal government should absorb a minimum of 50 per cent of the cost.

With a population of only 26,000 people, they fear the City cannot afford any more mega-projects.

“The funding formula is inequitable, especially in a community like ours,” said Coun. Paul Albrecht during the Dec. 14 council meeting.

“We have some significant transportation systems and networks that go through our community.

The cost of overpasses or underpasses or interchanges is substantial for a community of 26,000 people. If we were out in a remote rural area, then we wouldn’t have these same kinds of dynamics playing out.

“So I think it is something that is overdue to be reviewed and updated.”

For the Roberts Bank corridor project, the City of Langley paid $307 per capita — far more than the other two municipalities involved.

The Township of Langley, by comparison, paid $129 per capita and the City of Surrey, $47.

The City does not want to end up in the same situation with future proposals, like the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 expansion project, which may include an overpass on 200 Street.

“Considering we’re a small community with very limited resources, I think this is very timely,” said Coun. Rudy Storteboom.

Council will make this motion to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities at the 2016 annual FCM conference in June.