2010 was a big year on the transportation agenda for the City. Staff recently submitted their first annual progress report, highlighting the City’s work towards short and long term goals introduced in the 2008 Transportation Strategic Plan. Here’s just some of the achievements Surrey’s planners and engineers made last year:

• Partner with TransLink on the Surrey Rapid Transit Study, set for completion in the summer of 2011
• Major updates to the Bicycle and Walking Master Plans, set for completion in the spring of 2011
• Introduction of new road standards, including more space for planted boulevards, bike lanes, and wider sidewalks
• Partner with TransLink on the development of the Newton Town Centre Plan
• Implemented a new Traffic Control Centre that allows for active management of the traffic signal network
• Commenced a City-wide Safe and Active Schools program, which provided targeted funding for 60 different transportation improvement projects around schools
• Continued rollout of the City’s new on-street pay parking program
• Introduced the Surrey/SFU Lecture program on transportation, open to the public and stakeholders
• Introduced new, modern bus shelters
• Commenced widening of 96th Ave between 156 St and 176 St, and King George Boulevard between Hwy 10 and Hwy 99
• Continued widening of Fraser Highway near 176 St
• Commenced construction of pedestrian overpasses of Hwy 1 and Hwy 99

Looking ahead to 2011, what can we expect on the transportation front?

• Review of parking standards for new developments, including a look at expanding car co-op opportunities, unbundling of parking, and the provision of subsidized transit passes
• Commence Phase 2 of the Newton Town Centre plan, with a focus on the relocation of the transit exchange
• Commencement of sidewalk upgrade/improvement plan, with targeted priority areas based on 2010 accessibility audit
• Commencement of Roberts Bank Rail Corridor overpass program
• New transit priority measures to be introduced at King George and 88th Ave
• City-wide review of speed limits
• Review of Traffic Calming policies and practices
• Commence Phase 2 of the Surrey Rapid Transit Study
• 12km of new bike lanes and greenways are planned to commence construction
• Review of traffic calming near parks
• Installation of 35 more bus shelters
• Expansion of the Traffic Control Centre
• Possible expansion of the Pavement Management System to include sidewalks and greenways