B.C. pledges $12 million for active transportation on Harris Road; project’s future unclear

It remains unclear whether the road will go over the tracks, under or be built any time soon. 

But the years-long Harris Road grade separation project received clarity on how it may help pedestrians and cyclists this week.

In a letter written to the city in March, but revealed at a city council meeting on Tuesday, the province outlined a commitment of $12 million towards including an active transportation component in the proposal. 

The payments will come in two installments of $6 million each in 2025 and 2026. The funding must be used by 2028 or returned to the province. 

The money could also be directed to other active transportation needs in Pitt Meadows, should the city be unable to use the funds for its intended purpose with the road crossing. 

“Incorporating active transportation as part of the project design will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and will support equity and accessibility,” wrote Kevin Volk, assistant deputy minister in the province’s Transportation and Infrastructure services division. 

The letter was one of three messages the city released to the public at the Oct. 8 council meeting. 

One of the other two letters, submitted in August, came from Katzie First Nation Chief Grace George and Mayor Nicole MacDonald. 

It was directed to the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority — one of the lead groups on the project — Canadian Pacific Kansas City, and the provincial and federal governments, outlining the importance of implementing a Harris Road rail crossing to the community.  

The crossing has been a concern for residents and the city for decades. 

Trains block Harris Road for about 3.5 hours per day during the week, a number that is expected to double by 2030 with CPKC’s plans to increase track capacity. Blockages at the crossing impact the ability of emergency services to access Pitt Meadows and the Katzie First Nation, the latter of whom also relies on the road to enter their traditional territory. 

In July, The Ridge reported that key parties involved with the project were favouring an overpass on Harris Road. 

The decision is likely to be cheaper and leave less of an ecological footprint compared to an underpass, an option that received letters of support last year from the city, then-MLA Lisa Beare and School District 42, among other local advocates.  

Coun. Alison Evans credited the province for pledging $12 million to the project and motivating the project’s major players to find a solution. Evans also said it was a win for residents who prefer alternative modes of transportation in the city.

“We often hear about the crossing and how it affects vehicle traffic on Harris. We must not forget about the importance of people walking, cycling, pushing strollers and mobility aids across those tracks,” Evans said. 

“It’s a dangerous crossing for these groups.” 

Regardless of the project’s future, Pitt Meadows would love to keep the $12 million within the city’s budget because there are many active transportation needs in town, said MacDonald, who was reminded about the importance of installing some sort of mode of transportation for all residents earlier this month. 

“I was sitting, unfortunately, like many in our community at the crossing the other day in the pouring rain and watched pedestrians stand there for upwards of 15 minutes waiting, and waiting and waiting,” MacDonald said. 

“If there was grade separation, that wouldn’t be the case.” 

But there are still hurdles to overcome to solidify the overpass option. 

Peter Xotta, president and CEO of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, wrote to the nation and city in a letter last month that progress has been made on the project in recent months. However, ownership of the overpass, agreements on shared risks, costs and cost overruns, among other outstanding details still need to be determined. 

Designs on the underpass included a multi-use path that ran parallel to the road. Preliminary renderings of an overpass also incorporated a multi-use path. 

In a question and answer period, a couple members of the public expressed disappointment with the city for withholding the letters, funding promise and other updated information on the Harris Road project prior to the meeting.

The city had no choice but to wait on the province to grant them the chance to share the funding announcement, MacDonald said. (The city was directed to run any public announcement by the province’s communications director, according to the letter.)  

“This was the first date they would allow us,” said MacDonald, adding that they released all three letters now to communicate with the public that progress on the project is ongoing and the key parties involved are still at the negotiating table.

“Putting this on the consent agenda is to show a commitment to communicate to the public regarding grade separation.” 

The funding partners for the project are CPKC, Transport Canada and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. And the city is not privy to the specific information — financial or development — regarding the project, which is a concern, MacDonald said. 

Despite the major parties leaning towards an overpass, the city has continued to express interest in an underpass — but for the project to continue forward, she reiterated the city’s willingness to hear alternative options like an overpass.

“We’ve been told the risks and costs of an underpass, to many of our disappointment, makes the project unattainable,” MacDonald said. “In order to not have this project die, the city is open to those conversations regarding the overpass.”  

The motion did not have any further discussion. You can find all three letters here under the consent agenda. You can also share your thoughts on the project directly with the city by emailing HarrisRoadCrossing@pittmeadows.ca