Burnaby residents are getting a new piece of infrastructure to connect two local parks for easier access.
Burnaby North-Seymour MP Terry Beech, on behalf of Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Catherine McKenna, announced new funding to build a pedestrian and cyclist overpass over Highway 1 in Burnaby.
The federal government says the project will improve active transportation in the area by connecting Burnaby Lake Regional Park and Deer Lake Park.
The project will connect current trails at either end of the bridge and will also include landscaping and fixed park furniture.
"The reason this is happening is because everyone [on this stage], all levels of government representing every party, has been working together," Beech said at the formal announcement Thursday morning at Burnaby City Hall.
"The MLAs all wrote letters and campaigned ministers to get this funding at a provincial level. We've been working through various ministries at the federal level to find funding for a project like this. We've had great support from the city council, the mayor and all MLAs."
With the price tag coming in at more than $6.8 million, more than $3.7 million in federal funding will be allocated for the pedestrian and cyclist overpass.
The province will be contributing more than $3.1 million, while the City of Burnaby will contribute more than $2.5 million.
"We're so grateful and I'm so grateful that we've had the support of MP Beech, who really worked diligently on this file since we've introduced it and to our great MLAs who meet monthly and go over everything that the city needs," Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley added at the announcement.
"Most of all, I want to thank our staff who have worked really hard to put this all together. Our parks, our planning, our engineering. These things don't just happen, it takes a lot of work."
