TransLink Strategic Transportation Plan 2000 - 2005: Road Improvements

Over the last few days, I've been looking at the TransLink Strategic Transportation Plan 2000 - 2005 (STP). While we're still waiting for many of the transit improvements promised in the STP, the road building part of the plan was more sucessful. According to the STP, the plan was to establish a capital budget of $15 million in 2000, rising to $60 million in 2005 for the provisioning of road improvements.

As it turns out by 2005, TransLink spent $39.6 million annually on roads. By 2010, TransLink spent $96.7 million on roads.

Major projects identified in 2000 included:

South Fraser Perimeter Road - In Progress
North Fraser Perimeter Road (United Boulevard extension) - Cancelled by New Westminster
Fraser River Crossing (which will replace the Albion Ferry service) - Done
Stormont-McBride Connector - Cancelled by New Westminster
Fraser Highway widening - In Progress
Highway 10 widening - Done
Dollarton Bridge and Highway realignment - Done

STP Potential Major Capital Projects. Select image to enlarge.

The irony of this is that with the $800 million Golden Ears Bridge plus other road projects, TransLink has spent more money improving roads in the South of Fraser than transit.