Surrey, BC – The City of Surrey has unveiled plans to transform 72 Avenue into a continuous east-west route, stretching from 144 Street to 196 Street. The project, aimed at easing congestion and supporting the city’s rapid growth, will be executed in phases, with key segments being widened to accommodate additional vehicle lanes and multi-use paths for cyclists and pedestrians.
Key sections of the project include:
– 144 Street to 152 Street in Newton:Road widening to add vehicle lanes and multi-use paths for cyclists and walkers.
– 188 Street to 196 Street in Clayton: Additional vehicle lanes, sidewalks, and cycling paths.
– 152 Street to Highway 15: A proposed new road extension with four vehicle lanes and shoulders on both sides.
The City of Surrey emphasizes that these upgrades will significantly improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, and enhance connectivity across the region. Traffic models predict that without these improvements, east-west traffic on roads such as Highway 10, 64 Avenue, and 88 Avenue will increase by 36% to 56% by 2050.
The new route will better connect communities like Newton, Fleetwood, Cloverdale, and Clayton while linking Surrey to neighboring municipalities such as Delta and Langley through major highway connections. With Surrey’s population expected to reach one million by 2042, these infrastructure upgrades will play a critical role in supporting future growth.
The development of arterial roads like 72 Avenue was identified as a priority by the City Council in May 2023.