PITT MEADOWS, BC – On April 18, Council voted unanimously to re-affirm the City’s full commitment to the Harris Road Underpass Project but declined the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s (the port authority) request to become a funding partner for the project and provide 25 percent of costs up to a maximum of $49.6 million.
“Council has heard from the many residents who continue to support the Harris Road underpass but are opposed to the City becoming a funding partner, including concern for the significant long-term tax burden,” says Mayor Nicole MacDonald. “Council will continue to proactively advocate for federal funding to help close the funding gap and has received strong regional and provincial support for this critical project that advances national, provincial, regional, and local interests.”
On March 28, the port authority outlined significant affordability challenges related to the Harris Road underpass that is putting the project at risk, and requested that the City of Pitt Meadows depart from the terms of the Project Partnering Agreement and commit to becoming a funding partner, by mid-April 2023 to help to close the funding gap.
“Committing $49.6 million to a project that falls within federal regulation and jurisdiction would inhibit future decision-making and funding sources for the City’s existing and future services,” says Chief Administrative Officer Mark Roberts. “Additionally, the $5 million required contribution regardless of the outcome of the assent of the electors’ process presented too much risk for the City.”
“A funding request of this magnitude is simply not viable for a small municipality. Borrowing $49.6 million over a 30 year term would have resulted in an approximate tax increase of $9,000 for the average single-family home,” says Mayor Nicole MacDonald. “It would have set an unreasonable precedent to rely on a municipality to fund large-scale infrastructure projects that fall within federal jurisdiction and support the national trade corridor.”
If the project partners cannot close the funding gap, the port authority has indicated it will not be able to lead the Harris Road underpass into construction.
The Harris Road Underpass is critical infrastructure needed to mitigate the impacts of national and regional trade growth, including improved public safety, livability, viability and economic prosperity for the community.
The City remains fully committed to the Harris Road Underpass Project and will continue to advocate for federal funding. Recent support from regional and provincial partners have stimulated meaningful discussions and interest at the federal level. The City is confident that these ongoing discussions will provide opportunities to continue to advocate for federal funding to help close the funding gap.
To watch the recorded April 18 Council meeting visit pittmeadows.ca/councilmeetings. To learn more, visit portvancouver.com/pittmeadowsroadandrail or pittmeadows.ca/roadandrail.
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For more information please contact:
Carolyn Baldridge
Manager of Communications & Community Engagement
City of Pitt Meadows
cbaldridge@pittmeadows.ca