While construction is coming soon for the Agassiz-Rosedale Bridge, it won’t be getting any wider.
During the June 14 District of Kent council meeting, Council approved sending a letter of concern to Minster of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming, B.C. Premier John Horgan and Chilliwack-Kent MLA Kelli Paddon.
The letter will outline “that the current plan does not meet safety concerns for accommodating pedestrians and cyclists, which puts people’s lives at risk.”
RELATED: Agassiz-Rosedale Bridge construction could start in 2021, MLA says
Coun. Duane Post said this area of concern was particularly important as the community continues to grow.
Seismic upgrades for Agassiz-Rosedale Bridge have been in discussion since 2017. The province committed $36 million to a two-phase project. The seismic upgrades for the bridge was to be the second part, while the first was the design and construction of the Rosedale Overhead, which was completed in 2018.
The first phase of the project ate up more of the multi-million-dollar budget than expected in addition to upgrades to Pier 7 on the bridge, which prompted the legislature to revisit the issue.
RELATED: Widening project on Rosedale overhead wins award of excellence
In other council business, council approved sending a survey to 12 properties on Ashton Road to gather feedback on possible traffic-slowing measures. This survey is a swift follow-up on the previous meeting’s action, in which the council directed staff to come up with possible solutions to slow traffic down along the road after the district received a petition from residents advocating for further safety measures.
Post delivered a local freshet update. Post said the district has entered peak flow window and the water levels will remain high for a few weeks. The forecast indicates no major issues with flooding as of publication.
Coun. Stan Watchorn reported significant growth of new single-family dwellings in Agassiz. There have been 15 homes built this year, up from six last year.
Council approved supporting a letter from the District of Squamish to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau requesting urgent action to address Action 75 of the Truth and Reconciliation’s Calls to Action. Action 75 calls for governments, churches, First Nations communities, former residential school district students and landowners to develop strategies to document, maintain and protect residential school cemeteries and other sites where residential school children were buried. This would include provisions for appropriate memorial ceremonies and commemorative markers.
The next regular council meeting is June 28 via Microsoft Teams. To register, visit kentbc.ca.
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