News release Date: February 18, 2015 Page: 1 of 5 Media contacts: Lindsay Olsen, 604-982-4759 ICBC invests $391,000 to improve Tri-Cities roads You may have noticed the new sidewalks, pedestrian signals and bike lane in the community. These are some of the 30 road improvement projects ICBC invested $391,000 in last year to make Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody roads safer for everyone. This year marks the 25 th anniversary of ICBC s road improvement program with over $130 million invested in B.C. roads since 1990. Over the years, the road improvement program has evolved significantly. Successful partnerships, community investments and the use of innovative technology and tools have led to award winning projects and contributions that have helped advance the knowledge of the road safety engineering industry across Canada. Safety is the highest priority and the ICBC road improvement program invests in important improvements that are specifically designed to make roads safer and more convenient for us to use, said Douglas Horne, MLA for Coquitlam-Burke Mountain. During the last year over $391,000 has allowed for the completion of projects that will make a difference for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians across the Tri-Cities. ICBC s road improvement program identifies key projects that enhance safety for our families, said Linda Reimer, MLA for Port Moody-Coquitlam. I m glad to see this effective program, which dates back to 1990, continue to make the roads safer for everyone. In 2014, ICBC invested approximately $3.8 million in the Lower Mainland and $7.7 million in projects and safety audits across the province. We re proud of the thousands of road improvements and studies we have contributed to communities across B.C. over the last 25 years, said Lindsay Matthews, ICBC s director responsible for road safety. Safer roads mean fewer crashes which also translates into lower claims costs. We ll continue to invest in road safety initiatives that help us keep rates as low as possible for customers. ICBC also works with communities to make sure road safety issues are considered in the planning of roadways and managing traffic and participates in engineering safety studies. All proposed road improvement projects are assessed based on their ability to make roads safer. The most recent evaluation of the program found that over a two year time period, overall, for every dollar invested, ICBC and its customers see a return of five times the investment. If you have a suggestion for making a road or intersection safer in your community, contact your local municipality or make your suggestion through icbc.com. Road improvement projects completed in the Tri-Cities in 2014: Coquitlam Location: Dewdney Trunk Road from Pier Drive to Locarno Drive Project description: Installation of new, widened sidewalk on south side of Dewdney Trunk Road
Page 2 Location: Seven locations Project description: Upgraded pedestrian indicators with countdown timers ICBC contribution: $14,000 Location: Ten locations Project description: Installation of uninterrupted power supply service at ten signalized intersections ICBC contribution: $25,000 Location: Brisbane Road from Lillian Street to Gatensbury Road Project description: Installation of new sidewalk on the north side of Brisbane Road Location: Burns Road from Quadling Avenue to Anderson Avenue Project description: Installation of new sidewalk on the west side of Burns Road Location: Cape Horn Avenue Project description: Installation of a new sidewalk on the north side of Cape Horn Avenue Location: Cottonwood Avenue from Robinson Street to Florence Street Project description: Installation of a new sidewalk on the north side of Cottonwood Avenue Location: Robinson Street (east of Smith Avenue) Project description: Installation of a new sidewalk on the west side along Robinson Street Location: Walker Street from Edgar Avenue to Delestre Avenue Project description: Installation of a new sidewalk on the east side of Walker Street
Page 3 Location: Glen Drive from Lansdowne Drive to Pipeline Road Project description: Installation of a bike lane along Glen Drive Location: Brunette Avenue from Nelson Street to Allard Street, Schoolhouse Street from Como Lake Avenue to Austin Avenue and Pipeline Road from Gallette Avenue to 1000 metres north Project description: Installation of a highly reflective pavement markings ICBC contribution: $5,800 Location: North Road from Como Lake Avenue to Chapman Avenue Project description: Installation of new, widened sidewalk on east side of North Road Location: Nine signalized intersections Project description: Upgraded 23 overhead illuminated street name signs Location: Lougheed Highway corridor between Colony Farm area and Pinetree Way Project description: Safety review of cyclist improvements and road widening Location: City wide Project description: Safety review for signalized T-intersections in Tri-Cities area ICBC contribution: $16,000 Port Coquitlam Location: Coast Meridian Road and Coquitlam Avenue Project description: Installation of new traffic signal ICBC contribution: $100,000
Page 4 Location: Larch Way from Fraser Avenue to Tamarack Place Project description: Installation of a new sidewalk for safe route to Birchland Elementary Location: Paula Place from Eastern Drive to Hazel Trembath School Project description: Installation of a new sidewalk for safe route to Hazel Trembath School Location: Renton Avenue from Wellington Street to Irvine Elementary School Project description: Installation of a new sidewalk for safe route to Irvine Elementary School Location: Salisbury Avenue from Edinburgh Street to Flint Street Project description: Installation of a new sidewalk for safe route to École Kwayhquitlum Middle School Location: Taylor Street from Cameron Avenue to Pooley Avenue Project description: Installation of a new sidewalk for safe route to Kilmer Elementary School Location: Prairie Avenue and Regina Street Project description: Installation of a new pedestrian signal at intersection ICBC contribution: $18,000
Page 5 Location: Coast Meridian Road and Apel Drive Project description: Installation of a new traffic signal at intersection ICBC contribution: $15,000 Location: Kingsway Avenue and Coast Meridian Road Project description: Installation of westbound left turn at intersection ICBC contribution: $3,000 Location: Various locations Project description: Installation of highly reflective strips on sign posts ICBC contribution: $1,500 Port Moody Location: Noons Creek Drive at Hemlock Place, Campion Lane and Noons Creek Close Project description: Installation of curb bulges at crosswalks along corridor Location: Parkside Drive from Turner Creek Drive to Eagle Drive Project description: Installation of traffic calming measures Location: 20 intersections Project description: Installation of large sized overhead street name signs Location: Eight intersections Project description: Installation of uninterrupted power supply service at eight signalized intersections Location: 100 intersections Project description: Installation of large sized street name signs ICBC contribution: $7,500-30-