Joint Submission to the Fraser Valley Highway 1 Corridor Improvement Project by the Fraser Valley Chambers

In response to the release of plans for new Highway 1 upgrades by the Province, four Chambers of Commerce representing the Fraser Valley, including Abbotsford, Langley Township/City, Mission, and Chilliwack, are uniting to push for an expedited completion of this Highway 1 expansion project to bring better transportation capacity to the region.

The Highway 1 corridor is the lifeblood of commerce and connectivity, accommodating more than 80,000 vehicles daily. These vehicles include the employees who power our businesses, the tourists who fuel the visitor economy, and the dedicated service providers and truckers who facilitate the transportation of goods, build our homes and businesses, and maintain our infrastructure.

Today, congestion grinds the corridor to a halt regularly, stopping trade, slowing business, and making it too difficult for people to get around the region.  With population in the Fraser Valley expected to increase by 47% by 2050, the Chambers are pushing for completion of Highway 1’s expansion  as soon as possible, and are encouraging the Province and the Ministry of Transportation to speed up preloading, design, planning, procurement and other timelines and schedules to get this valuable project started – and finished – sooner.

Completing a transportation investment project of this scale requires long-term funding commitments. Completion of the Highway 1 widening through Chilliwack may take decades, but industry, taxpayers, and local governments need to be able to rely on senior levels of government to commit to these necessary investments.

This initiative will be a game-changer for the region, bolstering economic growth, improving connectivity, and elevating the region’s potential.

The four Chambers call upon all levels of government and relevant stakeholders to expedite and invest in this corridor expansion as soon as possible, and to together, pave the way for a thriving and prosperous Fraser Valley.

“Abbotsford’s business community is growing and plays an essential role in the region, being home to the Abbotsford International Airport, University of the Fraser Valley, and other regional assets. Key transportation infrastructure has fallen behind, making this one of the top economic issues facing our community. Getting Highway 1 expanded with better underpasses, more lanes, and now the inclusion of high efficiency  transit options is of critical importance,” says Alex Mitchell, CEO of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce.

Joint Submission - Highway 1 Widening Project - Fraser Valley Chambers of Commerce