Surrey council OKs ‘early work’ contract ahead of Bus Rapid Transit in Newton

Surrey council OKs ‘early work’ contract ahead of Bus Rapid Transit in Newton

Published 10:00 pm Monday, May 25, 2026

Surrey council awarded a contract on Monday related to “early work” ahead of Bus Rapid Transit running down King George Boulevard from Whalley to South Surrey.

Surrey’s general manager of engineering Scott Neuman recommended that council award a $1,184,422.28 (spending limit set at $1,303,000) to Mainland Construction Materials ULC DBA Winvan Paving for road improvements on King George from 72 Avenue to 76 Avenue as well as a contract for $75,429.90 (spending limit $83,000) to ISL Engineering and Land Services Ltd. for related engineering construction services.

“This contract includes early works that will support the future construction and delivery of the Bus Rapid Transit (“BRT”) project by improving road capacity and business access along this section of King George Boulevard through the addition of a third southbound lane,” Neuman noted in a corporate report that came before council.

Councillor Doug Elford said this stretch of King George is one of the most congested and “it’s in desperate need of a solution.”

“It’s really a problem in the community, in the neighbourhood. I just look forward to the construction over the summer, but other than that, and the complaints, but other than that I’m really looking forward to this.”

At the last council meeting on May 11 council voted to forge ahead with a “100 per cent” detailed design for BRT along King George between downtown and the Semiahmoo Town Centre, despite hearing from TransLink that funding for construction of the project has not yet been secured.

Neuman stated in this most recent corporate report that funding for this contract work “is available in the approved 2026 Transportation Budget with an estimated 60% of the funding provided through Development Cost Charges, and 40% through TransLink.”

As it is, King George between 72 Avenue and 76 Avenue has three northbound lanes and two southbound lanes.

“The addition of a third southbound lane will reduce traffic congestion and improve access to businesses on the west side of King George Boulevard, similar to the access currently provided by the existing third northbound lane on the east side of the corridor,” Neuman explained.

The contract work is expected to begin in June and be done by August.

Councillor Harry Bains said this work will take care of a lot of the roadwork needed for “the eventual SkyTrain that we’re all hoping that we can get right down to South Surrey. It provides the work necessary for the long-term vision while still setting us up for a short-term solution which is the Bus Rapid Transit that adds an additional lane at the southbound side of King George.”