PORT COQUITLAM, BC – Feb. 8, 2021…Construction on Prairie Avenue is set to start this spring and be completed by the end of the year which will improve safety and access along the important north Port Coquitlam connector.

Taking place between Coast Meridian Road and Fremont Street, it’s the second phase of a multi-year upgrade intended to bring Prairie Avenue – typically used by more than 13,000 vehicles a day – to a modern standard. The project includes pedestrian safety and streetscape improvements, street lighting, street trees and road reconstruction as well as a multiuse path for pedestrians and cyclists between Fremont Street and Burns Road. 

“This project will improve the face and function of Prairie Avenue, and have a positive impact on not only residents and businesses on the north side, but the thousands who use the road every day,” Mayor Brad West said. “It’s exciting to see these long overdue improvements start to take shape, as we continue to make capital upgrades throughout the community and strive to get the basics right.”  

The project’s first phase, which includes sanitary and storm pipe upgrades between Cedar Drive and Fremont Street, is now in progress and will wrap up by the spring. The third future phase will focus on the section between Shaughnessy Street and Coast Meridian.

Based on a design informed by community input and traffic analysis in 2019, the project will maintain the two existing travel lanes and bring the following upgrades to the 1.6 kilometers of Prairie Avenue between Coast Meridian and Fremont Street:

• New three-metre-wide multi-use pathways on the south side of the roadway,
• Parking lanes on both sides of the roadway,
• A traffic circle at Newberry Street,
• A raised median from Coast Meridian Road to Toronto Street,
• LED street lighting and street trees, and
• Road reconstruction and new pavement.

In addition to enhancing safety and function, the improvements are intended to support the beautification and future redevelopment of the northside business area. 

As with all roadwork, however, there will be some impacts and inconvenience as the work proceeds. The City has been in contact with Prairie Avenue properties about impacts such as the removal of vegetation, fencing and irrigation that has been installed on the City boulevard, and changes to driveways in accordance with the City’s subdivision bylaw.

“These much-needed upgrades will not only enhance the north side but will improve our City’s road network as a whole,” said Cllr. Darrell Penner, Council’s designate for public works matters. “We’ll be doing our best to minimize disruptions, but we recognize there will be some inconveniences and we thank everyone for their patience throughout the construction.”

Upgrades for the section between Shaughnessy Street and Coast Meridian will be considered for the 2023-2024 capital program based on budget availability.

For more information about the project, visit portcoquitlam.ca/prairie. Inquiries can be sent to engineering@portcoquitlam.ca. 

Capital program rolls out

Port Coquitlam residents will see crews around the community as the City rolls out its $55-million 2021-2022 capital program focused on getting the basics right. The projects improve safety, access, City services and quality of life, such as road and utility upgrades, new sidewalks and multiuse paths, pedestrian safety and traffic calming projects, more LED streetlights, and upgrades to playgrounds, parks and trails. Learn more about the City’s capital plan at portcoquitlam.ca/capital or get project updates at portcoquitlam.ca/capitalprojects. The City thanks the community for its patience as these improvements take shape.

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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