91原创 Township council has approved spending up to $9,765,000 on the next phase of widening for Fraser Highway, with construction tentatively expected to start early next year.
The second phase of the current widening project will extend from the 24600 block to the 24300 block, and will cost more than $14 million, with the Township applying for TransLink and provincial funds to cover much of the rest of the cost.
The approval vote was held at the Monday, Oct. 21 council meeting.
Councillor Kim Richter was in favour of holding off on immediately approving the funding.
"I believe we should be referring this to the budget process for more discussion," she said.
Asked about why the Township was pre-approving the budget now, Chan Kooner, director of community planning and policy, said that pre-approval can help lock in costs and contracts now. That prevents cost escalation if inflation drives prices up over the coming months or years.
Portions of the project linked to water and sewer line upgrades were deferred, instead of being voted on at Monday's meeting. Mayor Eric Woodward asked for them to be deferred until Nov. 4 for more review. That portion fo the work was to cost a further $3.9 million.
The council also voted to approve the design for the upgraded intersection of 240 Street and Fraser Highway.
Previous councils have approved widening projects along parts of Fraser Highway, with stretches through Murrayville and extending east past 232 Street done some years ago, and a stretch near 248 Street completed more recently. The newly-approved work will extend the wider portion further west and closer to 240 Street.
The widened portions will all be four lanes wide.