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Richmond is getting a provincial grant of $500,000 to build a multi-use path along Steveston Highway between Mortfield Gate and No. 2 Road.

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Grant supports active transportation in Richmond

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 10:32 PST, Fri February 17, 2023

Last Updated: 10:55 PST, Fri February 17, 2023

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More people in Richmond will be able to safely and conveniently choose active transportation to get around, thanks to provincial funding for new active transportation infrastructure.

“Choosing low polluting ways to get around is a great step to reduce your carbon footprint,” says Richmond–Steveston MLA Kelly Greene. “Introducing multi-use paths will also bring more biodiversity and mini ecosystems to Richmond, allowing more people to connect with nature.”

The City of Richmond is receiving a provincial Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant for $500,000 for a fully separated multi-use path along the south side of Steveston Highway between Mortfield Gate and No. 2 Road.

“We all know how important it is to get outside and explore our communities, but sometimes these opportunities are not accessible to everyone,” says Richmond South Centre MLA Henry Yao. “That’s why our government is investing in this new multi-use path to allow people of all ages and abilities to explore our beautiful community.”

Seventy-four new infrastructure and planning projects in communities all around B.C. are receiving funding as part of this round of provincial grants. These include projects like multi-use pathways, bike lanes, pedestrian bridges, and improvements to lighting, sidewalks, and road quality and safety. For this intake period, $20 million in funding was budgeted, an increase of $8 million from the 2021–2022 funding cycle.

“This new multi-use path is part of our goal to increase green, sustainable infrastructure in our communities,” says Richmond–Queensborough MLA Aman Singh. “This path will allow people to travel safely around Richmond without increasing the number of cars on our roads.”

Through the program, the province partners with local, regional, and Indigenous governments to make cost-sharing investments to a maximum of $500,000. Indigenous governments and partnerships between local governments and Indigenous governments are eligible for 80 per cent of a project's cost. For local governments, the province will invest between 50 and 70 per cent of a project's cost based on the population size.

To further support Indigenous communities and their partnerships with local governments, the program is beginning a rolling intake for Indigenous projects so that communities may apply at any time.

The Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants program supports the province's CleanBC commitment to increase shares of trips by walking, cycling, and transit by 30 per cent by 2030.

For more information about the Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants program, visit gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/funding-engagement-permits/funding-grants/active-transportation-infrastructure-grants.

For more information about CleanBC, visit cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/.