Surrey Board of Trade finds most members impacted by traffic congestion
Posted February 22, 2021 6:51 am.
Last Updated February 22, 2021 6:53 am.
SURREY (NEWS 1130) – The majority of businesses in Surrey say they are at least somewhat impacted by traffic congestion, according to an annual survey.
The Surrey Board of Trade released its fifth Surrey Roads Survey that serves as a snapshot of the worst intersection and roadways from the perspective of local businesses and entrepreneurs. Data shows 23.8 per cent of businesses say the impact of congestion has been “significant.” Half of the respondents said their business is somewhat impacted.
(Courtesy Surrey Board of Trade)
The board has made three recommendations in response to its findings: widening the on-and-off ramps of bridges, planning of major infrastructure projects anticipates the increase in demand and construction happens before or not long after capacity is exceeded, and that all levels of government work together on a transit and transportation plan for the South Fraser region.
“We need planning and action that anticipates needs and that results in infrastructure construction well in advance of increased demand, not long after the capacity is exceeded,” said Anita Huberman, CEO of the Surrey Board of Trade, in a statement.
The survey looks at more than 4,500 lane kilometres of road and is seeing higher numbers of commuter and commercial drivers.
This year the top three choices for improvements are widening the Fraser Highway to four lanes between Whalley Boulevard and 148th Street, as well as widening 152nd Street between 40th and 50th avenues, and widening 64th Avenue between 176 Street and Fraser Highway.
After last year’s report, four projects identified as a priority were completed by the city, including widening 40th Street from 88th Avenue to 92nd Avenue.
While many want to see the highways and roads widened, fewer board members threw their support behind approaches reducing the demand for driving, such as road pricing or adding cycling and walking infrastructure.
(Courtesy Surrey Board of Trade)
The number of people driving their own vehicle to work is down slightly from 92.9 per cent to 83.5 per cent, but it is still the majority. Only 4.4 per cent of people walked to work.
As for ridesharing from companies like Uber or Lyft, 63.5 per cent of people said they wanted the service without any restriction on pickup locations.
Bike-sharing didn’t see the same level of support, with 46.5 per cent of respondents saying they would be very unlikely to cycle to work if they had the option. But that number is down from 59.7 per cent the year before.
There is also more support (56.3 per cent) for a six-lane bridge over the Fraser River to replace the Massey Tunnel, rather than a new tunnel.
Read the full report:
2021 Road Survey Rpt FINAL
