Canada’s British Columbia (BC) Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has recently announced CAD $4 million in funding for shoreline flood mitigation projects in Abbotsford that, if left unrepaired, could undermine the dike protecting the Matsqui Prairie and important regional infrastructure. The project will provide stabilization of river banks along the Fraser River to help protect nearly 5,000 hectares of agricultural land, the historic Clayburn and Matsqui Village, Matsqui First Nations and major regional infrastructure like Highway 11, railways, the National Defence communications centre, BC Hydro towers, gas mains, and water and community wastewater facilities.
The provincial investment is part of more than CAD $49 million being provided to flood mitigation projects in communities throughout BC. Late last month, the province announced CAD $16.6 million in funding toward a flood mitigation project in Richmond that will upgrade multiple pump stations. The $24.95 million project also includes $8.3 million from the City of Richmond. The combined funding will help Richmond rebuild four pump stations that have reached the end of their functional lifespan and enhance 1,750 metres of the north dike to accommodate rising sea levels induced by climate change.