Nov 10,2004 City of Port Moody


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE:  November 10, 2004
MEDIA CONTACT: Colleen Rohde, Director of Economic & Strategic Development 
TEL:  604-469-4505 
E-MAIL: colleen.rohde@cityofportmoody.com


PORT MOODY - Council voted on November 9 to support the 'West option' for the much-anticipated Murray-Clarke Connector route to be funded by TransLink.

The West Option will connect Murray Street to Clarke Street at Douglas Street and then onto the Barnet Highway. A new rail overpass will be located near the north end of Queens Street. This alignment will reduce commuter traffic through Moody Centre and allow for improved traffic flow from the growing North East Sector communities to the Barnet Highway and Vancouver.

"The West Option will allow the City greater opportunities to work with Moody Centre businesses and residents to achieve the collective vision of preserving and enhancing this historic core" said Mayor Joe Trasolini. "Either option has its pros and cons, with the business community split over their preferences. This was a difficult decision that was long outstanding and had to be made in order to address regional transportation challenges" he added.

The connector will also establish a safer, more direct pedestrian link on the Trans Canada Trail through Port Moody as well as provide a convenient cycling route.

City staff will now begin negotiations with TransLink, who approved funding for this project earlier this year. $25 million has been set aside by TransLink for this project.

A connector has been on the books since the early 1980s, however provincial and regional funding were not available until this year. Up to 18,000 vehicles a day use the outdated Moody Street overpass, with severe congestion at rush hour. The number of vehicles using this route is expected to reach 21,000 by 2021.

City staff are now reviewing options for retaining a vehicular and pedestrian overpass on Moody Street connecting to Rocky Point Park and Murray Street. Options for retaining this connection will be presented to Council in the near future.

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