A new pedestrian and cycling bridge spanning a steep ravine in north Cloverdale is already getting top marks from residents in the area.
The North Creek Bridge links the neighbourhoods around 180 Street south of Fraser Highway with nearby Adams Road Elementary School.
It also connects more than six kms of pedestrian and bike paths in the area, including Cloverdale Greenway, Fraser Greenway and Clayton Greenway.
“The bridge is making a huge difference,” said local resident Heather
Harasymow, a parent of four young children.
The rapidly-growing Providence area is packed with young families, she said.
“There are always people going for walks or taking their dog for a walk over the bridge,” she said. “It’s nice to be able to go out for a long walk without having to go near a main road.”
The new, 103-metre span makes it possible for a significant portion of students to walk quickly and easily to school.
Neighbourhood children surrounded MLAs Kevin Falcon, Stephanie Cadieux and Dave Hayer and Surrey city councillor Marvin Hunt during the March 25 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the $1.2 million bridge, which has been promised since 2007.
Originally estimated at $1.7 million, the project was cost-shared by the provincial government and the City of Surrey. Each contributed $550,000 through the Local Motion program. There was another $100,000 contribution to the project from the developer.
It’s one of three pedestrian and cyclist bridges being completed in Surrey this year.
Both the Tynehead overpass across Highway 1 at 168 Street and South Surrey’s Pioneer overpass spanning Highway 99 are under construction, and are slated to open early this summer.
Mayor Dianne Watts said North Creek Bridge was designed to connect greenways and cycling routes, and will help encourage people to walk instead of drive, reducing carbon emissions.
The bridge is part of the city’s new walking plan, which will be unveiled soon.
The walking plan builds on a 2008 transportation strategic plan that identified the importance of including walking in transportation options.
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