Federal government invests in Coquitlam flood mitigation

COQUITLAM, B.C. – The City of Coquitlam is receiving an investment of more than $4.4 million to support a project to minimize future flooding events.

The project will relocate and raise Cedar Drive and construct a drainage channel parallel to Partington Creek with the intent of reducing the number of residents without essential services or access to the road during high precipitation events.

“With increasing environmental risks triggered by climate change, our government is committed to protecting communities across Canada against future weather-related events. Today’s investment in supporting flood mitigation in Coquitlam will better protect the homes, businesses and livelihoods of Canadians in order to reduce the risks and harm from climate change, and help create greater resilience,” Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam MP Ron McKinnon said in a statement.

The federal government is investing $4.45 million in this project through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund and Coquitlam is contributing $6.68 million.

“The Cedar Drive Upgrade Project is one of the largest current infrastructure projects in our community bringing much-needed upgrades. Coquitlam is extremely grateful to our federal partners for helping to fund these important environmental enhancements to ensure that we are protecting our green spaces and helping to protect our community from future climate-related events,” added acting Mayor of the City of Coquitlam Dennis Marsden.