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Why LRT is the only reason for Surrey’s proposed road through Hawthorne park

  • Reality Check

The City of Surrey wants you to believe that the proposed roads that cut through Hawthorne Park have been planned for decades and are unrelated to Surrey’s plan for street-level LRT—but the facts show that the road does, in fact, have everything to do with the LRT.

Here is what we think about the recent statements by City staff:

City of Surrey: The roads were originally identified in the 1980s
…and plans were reversed in the 1990s. The Official Community Plan that was instated in 1996 (and in effect until 2014) does not show the roads on the plan’s major roads map. (see below)
City of Surrey: The 105 Avenue Connector has been in the 10-year plan for the past 2-3 years.
But the City has been pushing for light rail on 104 Avenue for the past 6 years. Any planning conducted since then for the 105 Avenue Connector has fully considered the LRT proposal and the proposed reduction of 104 Avenue traffic capacity from 4 lanes to 2 lanes.
City of Surrey: Underground utilities and water mains will be moved from 104 Avenue to new 105 Connector, in anticipation of Light Rail on 104th.
We see this as an admission that the 105 Avenue corridor is required by the LRT project.
City of Surrey: Synergies are the connection between this project and LRT on 104th.
LRT will not improve transit travel times or increase ridership in Guildford. However, if the synergy is the need to accommodate continued growth in vehicle traffic, then this statement is true.

CONCLUSION: Clearly, LRT on 104th Avenue is the only reason a road needs to be built through this park.

Read our previous statement: Surrey’s LRT proposal cuts Hawthorne Park in half
Sign the petition to Save Hawthorne Park: https://www.change.org/p/save-hawthorne-park/

Appendix A: Surrey's major roads map from the 1996 OCP

The 1996 Official Community Plan (OCP) was adopted by the City in 1996 and remained in effect until 2014. It is available on the City of Surrey website at www.surrey.ca/city-services/1318.aspx.

Voice your opposition!
SkyTrain for Surrey is urging our over 2,300 campaign supporters to attend the City of Surrey’s information meeting on June 7 and voice opposition to the project.

Location: Guildford Park Secondary School, 10707 146 St
Date & Time: Wednesday, June 7, 2017 – 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Pictured in header: Diagram of Surrey’s 105 Avenue road plan for Hawthorne Park

Reality Check

Reality Check is the online blog run by the founder of SkyTrain for Surrey, a BC-based community organization that has advocated for the expansion of the Vancouer SkyTrain system, including our successful advocacy for the under-construction Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension.

Media Contact: Daryl Dela Cruz ​– Founder, SkyTrain for Surrey ・ Phone: +1 604 329 3529, [email protected]

Why LRT is the only reason for Surrey’s proposed road through Hawthorne park