TransLink on ‘fiscal cliff’ for funding transportation projects
Posted May 30, 2024 4:17 pm.
Last Updated May 30, 2024 6:36 pm.
TransLink says it’s funding dozens of transportation projects in 2024, but it might be one of the last years that’s possible.
In a release Thursday, TransLink announced its annual round of investments in cycling paths, walkways, and roadways across 23 communities.
TransLink says the 104 projects this year — and projects every year since 2017 — have been fueled by the “Local Government Funding Program,” (LGFP) which it claims is set to run out of money next year.
“The future of these programs are in jeopardy, due to TransLink’s fiscal cliff. Program funding runs out after 2025, so we must secure a new funding model to resolve our financial crisis and enable transportation investments,” the service said.
TransLink says it’s invested $884 million in 733 transportation projects across the region since the LGFP began.
In 2024, it secured approximately $144 million in regional funding, but Sabrina Lau Texier, TransLink’s director of infrastructure programs, says, “While the 2024 investment plan provided for one additional year of funding, there is not additional funding for these programs after 2025.”
Addressing the TransLink Mayors’ Council Thursday, Texier said the two to three years of funding that TransLink receives at a time makes long-term planning difficult.
She added that future funding would help TransLink meet the goals outlined in its Transport 2050 plan.
A list of projects made possible by the LGFP and a map of the TransLink road network can be found on their website.
