Port Coquitlam, BC – Nov. 16, 2020… Port Coquitlam will invest more than $55 million over the next two years on projects intended to improve access and safety, boost the vibrancy of the downtown and ensure sustainable city services.

Reflecting City Council’s ongoing focus on getting the basics right – the core services residents and businesses rely on – the 2021-22 capital budget focuses on upgrades to the transportation network, utilities and other key infrastructure, including improvements to parks and trails. 

“I’m proud that the city is continuing our commitment to invest in our core responsibilities – the type of investments our residents and businesses rely on and pay property taxes for,” Mayor Brad West said. “I’m particularly excited to see the plan come to life with projects that will improve safety for pedestrians in areas with high volumes of children, continue to liven up our downtown and bring about the long-awaited completion of the new Community Centre. We’re also pleased to be making significant improvements to our parks and trails as we know more of our residents are using them to stay healthy, especially during the pandemic.”  

Key projects include the completion of the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC), funding for traffic calming and pedestrian safety, and improvements to the downtown that will include the extension of the Donald Street Pathway from Wilson Street to McAllister Avenue and replacement of the McAllister Street pedestrian bridge over the Coquitlam River.

Highlights of the draft 2022 capital program, estimated at $26.5 million, include:

• $7 million for road paving and utility replacements (water, sewer, drainage)
• $6.7 million for major utility facility replacements and upgrades (culverts, pump stations, valves)
• 1.3 km of new sidewalk and 1.2 km of new multi-use paths
• $1,230,000 for sidewalk and pedestrian safety improvements
• $150,000 for traffic calming
• $200,000 for new streetlights
• $400,000 for lane paving
• $405,000 for school/park road safety improvements
• $1.6 million for park rehabilitation (turf replacement, skate bowl resurfacing, sport court amenities, athletic field upgrades)
• $60,000 for trail signage and network upgrades
• Replacement of the McAllister pedestrian bridge
• Design of Veterans Park and Leigh Square improvements
• Kingsway Avenue road improvements and multi-use path from Tyner Street to Coast Meridian Road
• New public art to enhance the downtown

Capital projects for 2021, totaling about $28.3 million, will include major improvements on Prairie Avenue and Kingsway Avenue to improve appearance, function and safety. Other previously approved projects in 2021 include:

• Completion of the four-year city-wide LED streetlight conversion project
• $200,000 for additional LED streetlights
• Rehabilitation of approximately five kilometres of road and almost five kilometres of utility infrastructure
• $1.2 million for sidewalk and pedestrian safety improvements
• $275,000 for traffic calming
• $300,000 for school and park safety improvements
• $973,000 for upgrades to playgrounds, parks and trails 

The four-year construction of the PCCC is also scheduled for completion for the end of 2021, bringing a variety of new community and recreation amenities to the city.

Funding for the capital program will come from various reserve accounts and interest savings from the refinancing of debt.

The city is also planning $695,000 in one-time enhancements, to be funded primarily through accumulated surplus, that were brought forward in response to Council and staff requests to help the city plan for the future. Highlights include:

• Coast Meridian Overpass inspection,
• Hyde Creek Recreation Centre facility assessment,
• Integrated stormwater management planning, and a
• Climate change adaptation plan.

“This capital budget is bringing some exciting improvements, but just as importantly, it also reflects our concerted effort to prioritize aging infrastructure, through significant investments in our utilities,” said Cllr. Dean Washington, Council’s designate for budget matters. “It’s not always the most thrilling work, but it’s critical to ensuring we can provide the services people depend on every day, like water, sewer and improvements to key road corridors such as Prairie and Kingsway.”

The draft plan will be considered by Council on December 8 and formally adopted with the Financial Plan Bylaw approvals, continues the two-year format introduced in 2017 to obtain competitive pricing and improve delivery times.

For more information about the capital plan, visit portcoquitlam.ca/capital. 

Planning for the 2021 operating budget is now underway, with public consultation planned for January. Information will be posted at portcoquitlam.ca/budget.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Pardeep Purewal
Manager of Communications & Admin Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5335 Cel 604.218.0533
Email purewalp@portcoquitlam.ca