SURREY,
BC, May 23, 2024 /CNW/ - Surrey is ensuring that homes and farms are
safe from flooding along a vulnerable segment of the Nicomekl River
dike after a combined investment of more than $1.3 M from the federal, provincial, and
municipal governments.
This was announced by John Aldag,
Member of Parliament for Cloverdale—Langley City, and the
Honourable Bowinn Ma, B.C. Minister of Emergency Management
and Climate Readiness.
This project will replace three aging sets of culverts, upgrade
two spillways that control the release of flood water, and
reinforce the dike height to help prevent waves from flowing back
up the dike. Once completed, the project will help protect more
than one kilometre of Highway 15 –a regional link to the Pacific
Highway border crossing— more than 40 buildings, including homes
and barns, over 400 hectares of agricultural lands, portions of
48th Avenue and 184th Street, and 500 metres
of the provincial Roberts Bank Railway corridor.
This investment is supporting Surrey's award-winning Coastal Flood
Adaptation Strategy for the coastal floodplain area and build on
the 2019 federal investment in coastal flood protection for
the cities of Surrey and
Delta, and the Semiahmoo First
Nation.
Making adaptation investments now will have major economy-wide
benefits later. Every dollar that is invested in adapting and
preparing for climate-related disasters can return as much as
$13 to $15 in benefits.
Quote
"Today's investment in the Nicomekl River dike upgrades will
safeguard homes and livelihoods in Surrey, Delta, and the Semiahmoo First Nation from the
impacts of climate change and the stronger, more frequent storms
all Canadians are experiencing. We will continue to invest in
disaster mitigation projects that reduce the risks of flooding and
build more resilient communities."
John Aldag, Member of
Parliament for Cloverdale—Langley City, on behalf of
the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and
Communities
"The increasing severity of climate disasters threatens the
safety of communities across B.C., and we all need to be prepared
for the potential impacts of flooding. By working together with the
federal government and the City of
Surrey to upgrade dikes along the Nicomekl River, we're
better protecting people in Surrey, Delta
and the Semiahmoo First Nation for years to come."
Bowinn Ma, B.C. Minister of Emergency Management and Climate
Readiness
"Protecting farmland and our communities from extreme flooding
is a key priority for the City of
Surrey. I would like to thank both levels of government for
their support on this project. By reinforcing the dikes along this
stretch of the Nicomekl River, we will increase our resilience to
flooding and help ensure the long-term sustainability of our city
and its natural environment."
Brenda Locke, Surrey Mayor
Quick Facts
- The federal government is investing $548,470 through the Green Infrastructure Stream
of the Investing in Canada
Infrastructure Program. The Government of British Columbia is investing $457,012 and the City
of Surrey is contributing $365,692.
- This stream helps build greener communities by contributing to
climate change preparedness, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and
supporting renewable technologies.
- Including today's announcement, more than 120 infrastructure
projects under the Green Infrastructure Stream have been announced
in British Columbia, with a total
federal contribution of more than $539.2
million and a total provincial contribution of more than
$365 million.
- Under the Investing in Canada
Plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit
projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and
transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
- Federal funding is conditional on fulfilling all requirements
related to consultation with Indigenous groups.
Associated Links
Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html
Green Infrastructure Stream
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/gi-iv-eng.html
Federal infrastructure investments in British Columbia
https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-bc-eng.html
Strengthened Climate Plan
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html
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SOURCE Infrastructure Canada