A recent survey by the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce reveals overwhelming support among Coquitlam businesses for opening the Fawcett on/off ramp on Highway 1 to all traffic, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Currently, the ramp is restricted to truck traffic between 5 a.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays. The limited access forces other drivers to use longer routes, contributing to congestion on nearby roads, including the frequently gridlocked Brunette Avenue interchange—one of the few Highway 1 exits from West Vancouver to Abbotsford that has not seen upgrades in decades.
Of the 93 survey respondents representing 56 businesses, nearly 94% supported opening the Fawcett ramp to all traffic, the chamber said in a news release. The issue is causing operational delays, increased emissions, and reduced productivity for companies operating in the United Boulevard corridor.
“With increasing development and densification across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, commercial goods and passenger traffic must get to their destination in as direct and timely a manner as possible,” said Tri-Cities Chamber CEO Leslie Courchesne.
“Businesses in this area overwhelmingly want the Fawcett access changed,” she added. “Spending more time in traffic than necessary negatively impacts our economy and communities, and creates higher emissions. We must ensure the efficient flow of commercial goods and people throughout our region.”
The Chamber conducted the survey in fall 2024, reaching out via email to 325 organizations located south of Highway 1 in Coquitlam. The findings are now being shared publicly and with the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit. The Chamber is also calling for a formal traffic study to evaluate the safety of expanding access.
Survey respondents voiced frustrations about lost time, increased costs, and safety concerns. One business cited “increased accident probability, reduced fuel economy and… increased wear and tear on vehicles” as key issues. Another noted that new development near the King Edward overpass adds urgency to improve traffic flow in and out of the area.
Some questioned the original rationale for the restrictions, with one respondent calling the limited use of the ramp “a total waste of taxpayers’ money.” Others highlighted the compounding impact of nearby construction projects such as the Fraser Mills development and past disruptions from the Port Mann Bridge and Trans Mountain Pipeline work.
