It’s easy to be a bit cynical about the wave of funding announcements that has washed over B.C. during the past few weeks, including five that took place here in Langley in the span of a single week — three on Friday alone.
And of those announcements, one included no fewer than three separate projects.
In fact, a skeptical person might suggest that the federal government’s sudden burst of largesse — formally known as the Canada 150 Infrastructure Program — is in no way unrelated to a looming election.
And let’s not forget where (and who) all that money came from in the first place.
All that aside, though, there was some very good news for Langley amidst all the fanfare of last week, as the nation begins preparing to celebrate its sesquicentennial in two years’ time.
A new interchange at 216 Street and Highway One will be welcomed by commuters who spend large chunks of each day sitting in traffic at the usually-congested 200
Street interchange.
As well, it should take some pressure off the nearby flyover, which can turn 208 Street into a bit of a parking lot during peak travel times — during the school year, in particular.
Langley’s airport is another big winner.
In the past 15 years, it has developed into a major employer in the community, with much of the region’s helicopter-related industry centred there.
Among other projects, the money will be used to improve safety, by refurbishing the asphalt on airport’s runways.
It’s hard to argue with anything that will make aviation safer.
Improvements to the Langley Centennial Museum, Williams Park and the amphitheatre at Willoughby Community Park will be welcomed by regular users of those facilities as well.
