At a council meeting this Tuesday, the Squamish council will discuss a plan to move forward with the much-delayed second entrance to Downtown Squamish. The district plans to apply for $7 million in funding to help build a bridge linking Pemberton Avenue to Laurelwood Road.
The proposed Pemberton-Laurelwood Bridge would span the Mamquam Blind Channel, providing two vehicle lanes, a sidewalk, and a multi-use path. The crossing is estimated to cost $24.3 million.
“The Pemberton-Laurelwood Bridge Project will construct a 2-lane road connection, All Ages and Abilities cycling and pedestrian connection over the Mamquam Blind Channel from the Downtown to the Waterfront Landing neighbourhood,” the staff report notes. “This will provide a much-needed second entrance into the downtown from Highway 99 that does not cross the railway line, enabling better connectivity, transportation network redundancy, liveability and emergency access.”
The report continues: “The proposed bridge will complete the truck route into Downtown that was recommended in the 2017
Squamish Downtown Truck Route Study, particularly for trucks approaching Squamish from the south. It will also provide a new option for transit routing that can accommodate both local trips as well as future regional service.”
The report also notes the District has approached the Squamish Nation for a letter of support. Engagement with agencies, including Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Canadian National Railway, will be required as the project progresses, with a detailed engagement plan expected to be finalized in 2026.
The District is currently planning to fund the Pemberton-Laurelwood bridge with Development Cost Charges (DCC) and municipal reserves. If the district gets the grant, this will significantly reduce the cost to the District. In addition to the bridge, the council will also consider a separate grant application for $150,000 to update the Asset Management Plan, last completed in 2022.
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