Border Infrastructure Program

2003 - 2009; Project Value: $290 Million

Project Summary:

The Border Infrastructure Program (BIP) was a jointly-funded federal-provincial initiative to improve the movement of goods to and from the BC Lower Mainland’s four border crossings.  The program was designed to improve and upgrade key sections of the region’s road network resulting in better links between border crossings, ports, container facilities, industrial parks, airports and railways. These improvements involved three main projects:

 HIGHWAY 15

• • Widening of Highway 15 (176th Street) to four lanes from Highway 1 to 32nd Avenue (this description includes related improvements undertaken with funding support from other infrastructure programs)

HIGHWAY 91/91A

• • Construction of a new interchange on Highway 91A at Howes Street in New Westminster

  • Reconfiguration of the Highway 91A/Queensborough Bridge north interchange

HIGHWAY 10/11

• • Widening of Highway 10 to four lanes from 122nd Street to Highway 15

  • Reconfiguration of Highway 11 interchange at Highway 1

Activities: With support provided by Context Research, Jack Stuempel and Associates provided advice and services in stakeholder relations and public consultation to the engineering and project management firms managing the design and construction for all three projects. The work included strategic management and support in:

• • Public consultation and communications strategy development

  • Open houses and information sessions (including notification and advertising)

  • Municipal Council presentations

  • Website content development

  • Media relations support

  • Project and issues management

Results: There was a high overall level of awareness and support of the Border Infrastructure Program.  Stakeholder issues were identified, addressed and resolved through various methods of engagement, including dialogue with neighbourhood groups and associations, business associations, municipal representatives and others as required.  Most significant among these was an issue regarding access to the Uptown business area of New Westminster which resulted in a three-way collaboration to redesign a portion of the Queensborough Interchange in a way that satisfied all parties and reduced construction costs.