Maple Ridge residents will soon see improvements to local pedestrian bridges, thanks to an investment of $165,500 from the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program, a major job-creating investment from Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

“Investing in this initiative will create employment opportunities, while providing our community with new and improved recreational infrastructure that will last us for many years to come,” said Randy Kamp, Member of Parliament for Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.

With this funding, the District of Maple Ridge will replace the Vernon Bridge and the North Alouette River Greenway Crossing. The bridges will provide improved pedestrian and equestrian access to existing trails, while a new trailhead for greenway users will also be constructed. 
 
“We are excited about this project which will enhance our existing recreational trail network with much needed replacement of existing bridge infrastructure.  The trail network provides recreational opportunities for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians to explore new routes, and the completion of this project will provide a safer alternative, particularly for equestrians, than the current option of using 132 Avenue road shoulder trail,” said Ernie Daykin, Mayor of Maple Ridge.

The Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program will invest $500 million in recreational facilities across Canada over a two-year period. In total, Western Economic Diversification Canada has approved 718 RInC projects that will use all of the funding available in the West. These projects are helping provide a temporary economic stimulus that will help reduce the impacts of the global downturn while renewing, upgrading and expanding recreational infrastructure in Canadian communities. 

Visit the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program in the West, or Canada's Economic Action Plan for more information.

For broadcast use

The Government of Canada is investing $165,500 to help the District of Maple Ridge complete improvements to the Vernon Bridge and North Alouette River Greenway Crossing. MP Randy Kamp, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced funding for the project under the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program.

For more information (media only), contact:

Jaime Burke
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: 604-666-1318

John Leeburn
Executive Director to the CAO
District of Maple Ridge
Telephone: 604-467-7352