Construction begins on new Port Haney riverfront pathway
Construction is set to begin this week on the new riverfront pathway in Maple Ridge that will eventually connect Port Haney Wharf with Kanaka Creek Regional Park.
The City of Maple Ridge announced Monday that work is underway on the Port Haney Multi-Use Pathway, with construction expected to take about nine months and the route anticipated to open in spring 2027.
“Residents have been asking for access to our riverfront for years and this is an exciting milestone for our community,” Mayor Dan Ruimy said. “This pathway is an important step in improving public access to the Fraser River and creating more places where people can walk, cycle, gather and enjoy the natural beauty of Maple Ridge.”
The pathway will run through a five-acre waterfront property between the CPKC rail tracks and Haney Bypass to the north and the Fraser River to the south. The former log sort site was purchased by the city in 2021 as part of its longer-term plans to improve public access to the waterfront.
A multi-use route will accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, runners and people using other forms of active transportation, while providing a route separated from vehicle traffic, according to the city. Plans also include a visitor parking lot, pathway lighting and entrance improvements.
The project is being funded through the city’s 2022-2026 capital plan and the provincial Growing Communities Fund.
Maple Ridge council approved an additional $700,000 for the project in July, using money left from the provincial fund, along with interest earned on the funding.
The pathway is considered the first phase of the city’s plans for the waterfront property, with future park improvements expected to follow. The city plans to conduct another round of public engagement on those improvements after the pathway is finished.
The city previously sought feedback on both the pathway and a future waterfront park concept in October 2023. According to the city, 83 percent of survey respondents said they either “loved” or “liked” the proposed pathway, while 80 percent said they already use Maple Ridge’s existing multi-use pathway network.
Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows MLA Lisa Beare called the project an investment in both active transportation and access to the Fraser River.
“This project will help residents and visitors connect with the Fraser River, support healthier transportation choices and strengthen the community connections that make Maple Ridge such a special place to live,” Beare said.
The pathway is also intended to eventually become part of Experience the Fraser, a regional initiative envisioned as a connected trail network following the Fraser River between the Salish Sea and Hope.
At its eastern end, the new route will reach the edge of Kanaka Creek Regional Park, providing the potential for further trail connections.
Metro Vancouver recently expanded Kanaka Creek Regional Park by another 3.5 hectares, including a 3.19-hectare property near Trethewey Crescent containing wetlands and forest. The addition helps connect the creek with approximately 20 hectares of mature forest acquired by Metro Vancouver in 2022.
Construction on the Port Haney pathway is expected to continue through the winter. The city said the gravel lot along the route will remain available as a staging area for local film productions while work is underway.
