6 hours ago
Swift News
Sitting at a picnic table under a canopy of colourful umbrellas, lifelong Langley resident Jim McGregor takes in the new changes to a downtown he's known well for decades.
The revitalized Fraser Highway One-Way anchors the heart of the City of Langley's historic downtown. The road is freshly paved between mom-and-pop shops, restaurants and cafes, and now lined with wider sidewalks, new gathering areas, more greenery and significant underground upgrades.
"I would describe it as vibrant," said the 76-year-old who also reminisced about driving down the same street on Friday nights as a teenager. "You have to keep upgrading … but still [maintain] your small town flavour."
The City of Langley says the $19-million revitalization has been its largest city-funded project to date. The transformation is aimed at inviting more visitors and businesses as the community grows and prepares for the nearby Langley City Centre SkyTrain station anticipated in 2029.
Initially presented to businesses in 2018, the SkyTrain expansion along the Fraser Highway has also come with its challenges as shops that faced around eight months of construction disruptions now look to bounce back.
"We lost income or we cut staff hours, everything [was at] risk, but now it's open, so hopefully it's getting better very soon," said Gurjant Sandhu, owner of Ashoka Indian Cuisine.
"Making sure that we can get folks from the SkyTrain, walking downtown, shopping and supporting local businesses is really important for our community," said Mayor Nathan Pachal. "It's the heart. It's a symbol of Langley city."
