Zero serious injuries and deaths on local roads.
More traffic calming measures will soon be implemented across the Tri-Cities to meet this goal, and each municipality is receiving financial support to make it possible.
A total of $23,000 was distributed to Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody on Tuesday (May 30) from the latest round of grants from the B.C. government's "Vision Zero" initiative.
Projects range from additional speed humps to pedestrian-activated crosswalks, though, with the exception of Port Moody, most of the exact locations for the new road features are not yet known.
"It's important for road users to be aware of their surroundings, and help foster safety for everyone in the community," said Mike Farnworth, Port Coquitlam MLA, deputy premier, solicitor general and public safety minister, in a statement.
"We're investing in infrastructure that will encourage safer use of our roads, making it easier for everyone to get around."
Broken down, the grants are as follows (in descending numerical order):
- City of Coquitlam
- $10,000
- Installation of new pedestrian-activated rectangular rapid flashing beacon crosswalks at seven different locations to improve the city's safety and walkability
- City of Port Coquitlam
- $8,000
- Installation of speed humps, raised crosswalks and streetlighting at key locations in Port Coquitlam to reduce vehicle speeds, increase visibility of pedestrians/cyclists, and improve safety for all road users
- City of Port Moody
- $5,000
- Installation of seven speed humps/cushions on two road sections, Klahanie Drive and College Park Way, to reduce vehicle speeding
The money is courtesy of B.C.'s health and transportation ministries, as well as Fraser Health, as communities could apply for a maximum of $20,000 each.
Three-fold, the new improvements for Tri-Cities roads ultimately hope to encourage greener modes of transit, reduce health-care system usage and free up space in emergency rooms.
According to the province, road and pedestrian injuries are two of the "largest sources of trauma" in hospital ERs.
"As a government, we recognize how important road safety is for people, particularly when it comes to weathering the storms and darkness of our fall and winter seasons," added Coquitlam–Maillardville MLA Selina Robinson.
"That is why we're investing in speedbumps, streetlights, crosswalks and more, so that we can improve safety for all road users."
The $23,000 for the Tri-Cities is a portion of a $1,030,506 pot of "Vision Zero" grants for nearly 60 communities in B.C. this year.
For more information on the campaign, you can visit its website.
