South fraser perimeter road

The South Fraser Perimeter Road is a proposed $1.0 billion [name = "Ministry Report" >cite web | title = Gateway Program Definition Report | publisher = Ministry of Transportation of British Columbia | date = January 31, 2005 | url = http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/gateway/reports/Gateway_PDR-ExecSumm.pdf | format = PDF | accessdate = 2007-02-11] highway project for Greater Vancouver that is being delivered by the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation's Gateway Program.

Project Scope

A new four lane, 80 km/h (50 mph) highway along the south side of the Fraser River extends from Highway 17 in southwest Delta to 176th street in Surrey, with connections to Highway 1, 91, 99 and to TransLink's new Golden Ears Bridge connector [ [http://www.gatewayprogram.bc.ca gatewayprogram.bc.ca ] ] .

Opponents argue that this route will increase pollution near residential neighbourhoods and schools; harm the hydrology of Burns Bog, a threatened and sensitve ecosystem; and pave over valuable farmland. However, the SFPR has undergone a thorough review as part of the Environmental Assessment process in which many of these issues were identified and steps were taken to mitigate the potential impacts.

The SFPR is expected to be completed by 2012.

Burns Bog

Burns Bog is a raised peat bog located in Delta. Considered the largest undeveloped urban land mass in North America, the bog is home to a wide variety of plants and animals and is often referred to as the lungs of the Lower Mainland.

The SFPR Project will be working with the Burns Bog Scientific Advisory Panel to develop systems that will improve the existing drainage / hydrology of the bog. In response to the mitigation measures proposed the Environmental Stewardship Branch of Envirnoment Canada wrote that "...that the changes are not sufficient to alleviate its concerns related to the impacts of the Project on Pacific Water Shrew (PWS), hydrology, aerial deposition, and ecological integrity of Burns Bog." [http://www.burnsbog.org/PDF/EnvCanadaLetterNov2007.pdf]

The SFPR alignment does go through the Burns Bog Ecological Conservancy Area [http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/gateway/SFPR/docs/ea/Burns_Bog_FINAL_Oct_06.pdf] . However, there is concern that it would effect a surrounding hydrology and have an adverse affect on the Conservancy Area [ [http://www.burnsbog.org/resources/position.shtml Burns Bog Conservation Society » Resources » Sustainable Development Strategy ] ] .

Economy

Improving the movement of people and goods with projects like the SFPR will contribute to building local businesses as well as strengthening the provincial and national economy. The project has the potential to increase land value throughout the corridor as a result of new development. Finally, the SFPR will improve access to industrial areas in Delta and Surrey and create new industrial land through the rehabilitation of former landfill sites.


Delta is home to two of the top four business parks in Metro Vancouver, Annacis Island Industrial Park and Tilbury Industrial Park. More than 700 businesses reside in those two areas representing nearly 20,000 employeeshttp://www.th.gov.bc.ca/gateway/SFPR/docs/ea/Socio-economic_FINAL.pdf] .


Surrey has more than 16,000 businesses representing a diversified industrial manufacturing and service base. These growing industrial areas in Surrey are expected to benefit by approximately 4000 new jobs on top of an additional 3500 new jobs in Delta.

Air Quality

One of the main objectives of the Gateway Program is to reduce congestion-related idling. By freeing up the traffic movement south of the Fraser River, the SFPR will reduce congestion related pollution. The SFPR will also be removing trucks from local roads where they contribute to noise, accidents and pollution. Expanded transit services, HOV lanes and cycling improvements will largely offset emissions. Vehicle pollution will be reduced further as result of improved efficiency and higher emissions standards. An overall improvement in regional air quality is predicted in 2021 [http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/gateway/SFPR/docs/ea/Air_Quality_Final.pdf] due to a reduction in traffic-related emissions compared to today.

Agriculture

The SFPR has been strategically located to minimize impacts to agriculture in Delta. By working with the Delta Farmers Insitute and individual farmers, the Gateway Program has developed a strategy to enhance agricultural productivity in the area.

Although 222 acres (90 hectares) will be directly affected, only 37 acres (15 hectares) will be influenced so drastically that they will be discontinued from use. It is unfourtunate that this will happen as replacing agricultural land is very difficult.

Some of the measures included in that strategy are improved drainage and irrigation on agricultural land, improved transportation, access for farmers and farm vehicles, improved safety for farm vehicles on local roads and a new drainage and stormwater model for South Delta to improve storm water management in the long term. [http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/gateway/SFPR/docs/ea/Agriculture_FINAL.pdf]

Delta has a rich agricultural tradition, which the Gateway Program is looking to preserve.

Other Opinions

The environmental assessment for this project has mentioned the following drawbacks:

People living in the region will be subject to air quality degradation, as well as light and noise pollution.

The extra carbon dioxide released and the dust from the building of the road may change the chemical composition of the bog thus inhibiting the growth of sphagnum moss, the basis of the bog ecosystem.

[http://www.sunburyneighbourhood.ca/SFPR_DeltaCouncil.htm Click here to find the environmental assessment.]

According to the Sunbury Neighborhood Association, a tunnel would be a better approach, eliminating noise and light pollution and destruction of the bog ecosystem.

References

External links

*http://www.gatewayprogram.bc.ca
*http://www.sunburyneighbourhood.ca/