A conceptual drawing shows the plans for a new transit exchange on Montrose Avenue, looking north from McDougall Avenue.

City of Abbotsford seeks public input on Montrose transit exchange

City expected to cover up to $1.75M of project's estimated $5.2M cost

The City of Abbotsford is seeking public input on a new transit exchange for Montrose Avenue.

The exchange will be located between McDougall Avenue and South Fraser Way in the area around Archway Community Services.

The project was identified as a priority in the city’s 2018 Transportation and Transit Master Plan and in the BC Transit Future Action Plan.

Council agreed at its executive meeting in February to have BC Transit apply to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to cover 80 per cent of the costs of the design and construction of the exchange.

RELATED: City of Abbotsford seeks federal funding for Montrose transit exchange

The preliminary cost estimate is $5.2 million, with the city’s portion ranging from $1.1 million to $1.75 million.

A staff report on the project said that a new exchange on Montrose Avenue will enable the transit system to transition away from the existing Bourquin Exchange at Sevenoaks Shopping Centre.

The report says that an expanded Montrose Avenue exchange will facilitate future implementation of a new Gladwin route and the #1 Highstreet/UFV rapid bus line, as well as the realignment of the 31 Valley Connector regional route to downtown Abbotsford and then to UFV.

The design includes expanded sidewalks, additional shelters and benches, improved lighting, and maintaining the existing large trees with additional landscaping.

Other plans include bicycle parking, charging stations for electric bikes and vehicles, and designated parking spaces for passenger drop-off and pickup.

Public input on the project is invited online at letstalkabbotsford.ca.


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