Meeting Regarding Proposal to build Road through Hawthorne Park, June 7, 5:30-8:

[Mark]

Yes, this proposal is outside of Bolivar Heights, but just thought I would mention that there is a proposal to put a new road through Hawthorne Park. It is to be called the 105A Avenue Connector, and seems largely necessary due to the future LRT train going down 104 Ave. The Information Session is tonight (June 7/ 2017) at Guilford Park Secondary, from 5:30-8:30.

     I think we should be arguing for a Skytrain Line down 104 Ave, which will only become more congested with future growth. This way traffic will not be as impacted on 104 Ave as it would with a ground level train. Then "possibly" this new road wouldn't be necessary, or at least not for a number of years into the future. Having a road like this through Hawthorne Park will sever the park into two chunks.

Newspaper Article attached, and information about the meeting below. If you have an opinion on this, there is a link to a Petition in the Newspaper article.

http://www.surreynowleader.com/news/hundreds-sign-petition-against-aggressive-plan-for-roads-in-surreys-hawthorne-park/

http://www.surrey.ca/city-services/23402.aspx

[Mark]

I attended the meeting last night, and although I think everyone (including the CoS Planners) would prefer that a road did not have to go through this beautiful park, it seems that in order to prepare for future growth and road demand, this road will have to be necessary.

I do think the residents should still advocate for Skytrain on 104 Avenue instead of LRT, but either form of train is going to require some more road network to be built in this area, so unfortunately, I can only see that this "two lane" road will have to be built. It will include raised cycling paths as well as Street Trees and Sidewalks, so will provide a safe way for Pedestrians and Cyclists to travel East-West in this part of Surrey. In speaking with a CoS Planner, it was mentioned that the construction of the Port Mann/ City Centre Bike Corridor (with Bon Accord Bridge), was also built partly as an acknowledgement that it would not be feasible to build bike lanes on 104 Avenue.

Does anyone else have thoughts on this network?