Work will begin this month on the $30 million North Surrey Truck Parking Facility, which will provide a safe, convenient place in the Lower Mainland for commercial truck drivers to pull over and rest.

A $4.97-million contract for the first phase of work has been awarded to Jacob Bros. Construction. Jacob Bros will be responsible for the construction of a signalized intersection along Highway 17 to provide safe access to the new facility, as well as site excavation and preparation work.

The new truck parking facility is being built on provincial land on the north side of Highway 17, below and just east of the Port Mann Bridge. When completed, the facility will have room for about 100 trucks. It will include washrooms, fencing, lighting and other security measures.

“This facility will help alleviate the shortage of commercial vehicle staging and parking in the Lower Mainland,” said Claire Trevena, B.C.’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “The North Surrey Truck Parking Facility will support the commercial transport industry by providing operators with a safe, convenient location to stop, take a break and turn off their engines.”

“The addition of safe, convenient commercial truck parking on the Lower Mainland is something our association fully supports,” said Dave Earle, president and CEO, BC Trucking Association. “It’s often difficult to find suitable parking for large transport trucks. Facilities like this make the job a bit easier for our members, knowing there’s appropriate parking available when it’s time to take a break.”

The actual parking facility and amenities will be built in Phase 2 of the project, which will be tendered in 2021.

The Government of Canada is contributing $13 million, with the remaining $17 million funded by the province.