A growing city needs a transportation system that keeps people moving.
Last month, I used this opportunity to outline how the city鈥檚 budget is developed and the importance of accountability and transparency in that process. Our goal is to ensure the budget remains fiscally responsible and reflects the priorities of the people of 麻豆精选.
One of the most exciting parts of 麻豆精选鈥檚 2025 budget is the way we鈥檙e transforming how we deliver infrastructure鈥攔oads, bridges, recreation facilities, and public transit.
We鈥檝e heard you loud and clear: our transportation system needs more efficient options, less congestion, and better connections across the region.
As Mayor and council, we鈥檝e made transportation infrastructure a council priority. In a rapidly growing city like ours, delivering projects quickly and efficiently is essential to keeping pace with development and meeting residents鈥� needs. Every decision we make today must ensure these projects serve our community not only when they鈥檙e built but for decades to come.
Too often, government projects are associated with delays, unnecessary red tape, and ballooning budgets. For 麻豆精选, that鈥檚 simply not the case. We know that inefficiencies waste taxpayer dollars and cause inconvenience for families and businesses.
That鈥檚 why we鈥檝e adopted a smarter, faster approach to building infrastructure. Our new strategy includes road bundling, which combines major projects to accelerate delivery, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.
This year鈥檚 budget reflects a strong emphasis on long-term infrastructure investments, with a focus on accelerating capital projects and leveraging partnerships to deliver real results. In the 2025 budget, we allocated $81 million toward transportation capital expenditures.
By accelerating these investments, we鈥檝e doubled the rate of annual capital delivery and increased the proportion of our capital plan completed within the planned year. This means more projects being built faster.
One of the cornerstone projects in development is the Highway 33 Multi-Modal Corridor, with design work already underway. This initiative will link downtown 麻豆精选 to Highway 33, McCurdy Road, UBC Okanagan, and the 麻豆精选 International Airport. Running parallel to Highway 97, it will significantly reduce congestion, improve transit lanes, and shorten travel times for residents, students, and visitors alike.
Complementing this is the Burtch Road Upgrades, which will establish a continuous north-south corridor connecting Glenmore Road to KLO Road. This vital route will ease traffic flow and provide a reliable alternative to Highway 97 for commuters.
Meanwhile, the replacement of the KLO bridge over mission creek is underway, with construction of a new bridge and creek pathway set to begin this year, improving connections across the city.
But it鈥檚 not just about roads, 麻豆精选鈥檚 growth requires diverse transportation options and improved travel choices.
Investments in the Mission Recreation Transit Exchange, along with new transit exchanges in Rutland and Okanagan College, are designed to enhance rider comfort and reduce delays.
At the same time, we鈥檙e expanding capacity at the Hardy Transit Centre while preparing designs for a new Hollywood Transit Centre, which will complement the Highway 33 Multi-Modal Corridor, to enhance transit accessibility along this key route.
These investments are critical as we reached a record level transit ridership of 6.45 million in 2024, a testament to how much residents value reliable and accessible transit options.
Active transportation also plays a vital role in a healthy, connected city. Projects like the Bertram Active Transportation Corridor and the Rutland Neighborhood Bikeway will expand safe walking and cycling routes, linking key areas, including new playing fields, and encouraging more people to choose active transportation for their daily commutes.
Every one of these projects has a common goal: less time stuck in traffic and more time to enjoy what matters most鈥攕pending time with family, shopping at local businesses, or exploring all that 麻豆精选 has to offer.
We are already starting to see results. Through our Transportation Accelerator Plan, we鈥檝e expanded investments in mobility and infrastructure, advancing the construction of seven major projects ahead of schedule.
By streamlining processes, leveraging partnerships, and listening to the needs of residents, we鈥檙e proving that 麻豆精选 can lead the way in delivering efficient, innovative and community-focused infrastructure.
Together, we鈥檙e building a transportation system that keeps people, goods, and our economy moving while enhancing the quality of life for everyone in 麻豆精选.
Monthly update from 麻豆精选 Mayor Tom Dyas on Council decisions, City business and more.
