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Roads, Bridges, and Goods Movement



Road, Cycling, and Pedestrian Improvements

As Metro Vancouver’s transportation authority, our mission is to connect the region and enhance its livability through a sustainable, robust transportation network. TransLink invests in walking, cycling, road and bridge projects through our Local Government Funding Programs that build stronger and more vibrant communities, making it easier for people to move around the region safely and efficiently.

Investments made through these programs are critical in achieving Transport 2050 and regional goals by making travel more convenient, safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable. These transportation investments are also central to addressing some of our region’s most pressing issues, serving as a catalyst for more connected communities, affordable housing, and a thriving economy.

However, the future of these programs are in jeopardy, due to TransLink’s fiscal cliff. Program funding runs out after 2025, so we must secure a new funding model to resolve our financial crisis and enable transportation investments that support growing communities for years to come.

Through our Local Government Funding Programs, funding is provided to local projects that advance regional objections outlined in Transport 2050 to contribute to regional transportation networks and serve a regional purpose.

Since 2017, TransLink has invested $884 million in 733 key transportation projects across the region. In 2024, approximately $144 million in regional funding was available to local government partners through the LGFP to fund a total of 104 projects. Projects that were awarded funding were confirmed in March 2024 and communicated to local governments April 2024, including the issuance of TransLink-signed funding agreements.

These projects are driven by local governments and include the addition of new or improved:

Road

  • Travel lanes

  • Left-turn lanes

  • Road safety and efficiency

  • Curb ramps

  • Road structures

  • Bus speed upgrades

Biking

  • Bikeways

  • Bike signals

  • Road safety and efficiency

Pedestrian Walkways

  • Pedestrian signals

  • Multi-use paths

  • Sidewalks

  • Street crossing improvements


More details can be found in the 2024 Local Government Funding Programs Report.

View 2024 Local Government Funding Program Projects

Map of Road Network, Cycling, and Pedestrian Projects

 

Map Legend

Colour Project Type
Green Cycling Project
Red Road Project
Pink Bus Project
Yellow Structure Project
Purple Pedestrian Project
Orange Multi-use Pathway Project 

Local Government Funding Program Statistics

Upgrading road, cycle & pedestrian infrastructure

  • TransLink’s Local Government Funding Program invests in 21 municipalities, Electoral Area A and the Tsawwassen First Nation.

  • TransLink has invested $144 million to upgrade or build new infrastructure in 2024.

    • This includes 60 walking, cycling, and multi-use path projects across the region, as well as 44 roads, structures, and bus speed and reliability upgrades.
    • We’re also supporting annual maintenance and pavement rehabilitation required for the 2,600 lane-kilometres of the Major Road Network (MRN) TransLink oversees.
  • From 2017 through 2023, 629 projects were approved for funding. Across all funding programs, these projects included:

    • 122 walkway projects,

    • 161 bikeway projects,

    • 117 bus speed and reliability projects,

    • 67 multi-use path projects,

    • 82 roadway safety and capacity projects,

    • 80 roadway structure replacement, rehabilitation, and seismic retrofit projects on the MRN, and

    • Annual pavement rehabilitation of 675 km (2,600 lane-kms) of the MRN.

View the list of all completed upgrades through this program.

Local Government Funding Program Guidelines

The Local Government Funding Program guidelines identify the type of infrastructure upgrades and the locations that are eligible for funding. The guidelines also describe the funding and evaluation framework used to assess these projects. Details about program administration procedures and requirements are also included. The guidelines are subject to periodic updates or enhancements as required.

The latest guidelines can be found below.

Road Infrastructure Maintenance and Improvement Programs

Cycling Infrastructure Improvement Programs

Pedestrian Infrastructure Improvement Programs

Additional Cycling Infrastructure Resources


Major Road Network

The Major Road Network (MRN) supports the safe and efficient movement of people and goods across the region. It includes over 2,600 lane-kilometres of major arterial roads that carry commuter, transit, and truck traffic. The Major Road Network connects the provincial highway system with the local road network, and some corridors also serve cyclists and pedestrians.

TransLink, in partnership with municipalities, plans the region's Major Road Network. TransLink contributes funding for the on-going operation, maintenance and rehabilitation of the MRN, but ownership and operational responsibility for the MRN remains with the respective municipalities. TransLink also shares the cost of road, cycling, and pedestrian improvement projects with municipal partners and other stakeholders, in order to expand options for driving, cycling, and walking across the region.

Operations, Maintenance and Rehabilitation

Maintaining the Major Road Network (MRN)

TransLink also contributes to the annual upkeep and maintenance of over 2,600 lane-kilometres of the Major Road Network (MRN). This Operations, Maintenance, and Rehabilitation (OMR) funding helps keep the Major Road Network in a state of good repair, ensuring that people and goods can move efficiently and safely across the region.

Work on the Major Road Network is planned and performed by municipalities and includes activities such as street cleaning and snow removal, patching potholes, repaving, and maintaining streetlights, traffic signals and signs. Each year, municipalities receive an amount that is proportionate to the number of Major Road Network lane-kilometres within their community.

What is a lane-kilometre? Imagine there is a one-kilometre road that has two lanes in both directions for a total of four lanes. That is four lane-kilometres.

  • TransLink has invested over $61 million in 2022 to help keep the Major Road Network in a state of good repair.

    • TransLink has Invested $280 million towards the maintenance and rehabilitation of the Major Road Network since 2017.

  • TransLink has invested in the maintenance of over 850 structures since 2017 to help keep drivers safe on structures such as bridges, culverts, and retaining walls

  • TransLink also invests in the maintenance of over 1115 traffic signals throughout the region.

TransLink also owns and maintains five bridges:

  • Knight Street Bridge

  • Pattullo Bridge

  • Golden Ears Bridge

  • Westham Island Bridge

  • the Canada Line bike and pedestrian bridge

For more information on these bridges and active construction work, visit the Bridge Maintenance and Upgrade Program page.


Regional Road Performance Monitoring Report

Cars driving across Granville Street bridge on a clear sunny day

Healthy regional roads are essential to the livability and economic success of our region. They enable the efficient movement of goods and connect commuters to the people and places that matter the most.

TransLink is more than just transit. In partnership with municipalities, we plan the region's Major Road Network (MRN) and contribute funding for the operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation of the MRN.

Created in 2020, our Regional Road Performance Monitoring (RRPM) report and online dashboard collect and present important data on the health and safety of Metro Vancouver’s regional roads. It helps us understand the location, scale, and complexity of our road network challenges, enabling TransLink and road authorities to make informed, performance-based decisions.

The report also reinforces the need for strong partnerships and strategic investments across the region to help create a safer and more efficient road network.


Feedback

If you have any feedback on the RRPM online dashboard, please email us at rrpm@translink.ca.


Goods Movement

Traffic on a bridge

Goods movement is an essential part of our region’s transportation network. From food to clothing, and other goods, many businesses in Metro Vancouver rely on efficient goods movement to get their products to market in other parts of Canada, North America, and the world.

TransLink and our partners developed the Regional Goods Movement Strategy to promote a better understanding of goods movement issues and priorities. It draws together actions for governments and agencies at all levels, the private sector, and other organizations. It also represents a major step forward for TransLink to fulfill its mandate of providing a regional transportation system that efficiently moves both people and goods.

The strategy addresses how to deliver goods and services to more people and businesses within a shared and increasingly limited space. The strategy also aims to make goods movement cleaner, quieter, safer, and more cost-effective It is an ambitious agenda, but one that partners in this region are confident we can advance if we work together.

Truck Route Planner (TRP)

TransLink and the Government of British Columbia are releasing the Truck Route Planner, an online tool to help commercial vehicle operators plan their trips. This tool is the first of its kind in Canada to plan truck routes with a holistic picture of the region’s commercial vehicle network.

To use the Truck Route Planner, truck operators input the dimensions of their vehicle with their desired destination and starting point to find the optimum route for their vehicle. The Truck Route Planner suggests optimum routes based on:

  • The operator’s vehicle dimensions

  • Municipal bylaws

  • Height clearances

  • Bridge weight load limits

  • Major road closures on truck routes

The Truck Route Planner is a pre-trip planning tool, it is not designed to provide real-time directions. Operators are asked to not use the tool while driving. Operators of oversize or overweight vehicles on provincial highways should not use this tool, and instead plan their route using other provincial resources such as:

Visit the Truck Route Planner

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