South Fraser Perimeter Road open from Surrey to Delta

After five years of construction, the Lower Mainland's South FraserPerimeter Road is now open, and B.C.'s Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone calledit a Christmas gift to those living south of the Fraser River.

"Now I know many people south of the Fraser have been waiting for this day for quite some time," Stonesaid at the ceremony on Saturday.

"The SFPRwill provide an efficient and convenientroute for commercial traffic and commuters and tourists. It will actually connect every majorcrossing of the Fraser River, giving everyone who lives here a lot more choices," Stone said.

B.C.'s newesthighway reaches 37 kilometres, from DeltaportWay in Southwest Delta to 176th Street in Surrey and is now known at Highway 17.The old Highway 17 in Delta has become Highway 17A.

The province says the SFPR, which has a posted speed limit of 80 km/h, could cut travel time for commuters on their way to theTsawwassenB.C. Ferries terminal, estimating that travel time fromHighway 1 in Surrey would now be less than 30 minutes. The SFPRalso estimates that drivers could travelfrom South Deltato Maple Ridge via the SFPR andthe Golden Ears Bridgein about 30 minutes.

Delta Mayor Lois E. Jackson said the highway will help keep commercial and residential traffic separate in her city.

"The new route provides greater access to theTilburyindustrial area, takingcommercial trucks off Highway 99 and River Road. This will make forsafer, smoother travel for our residents throughout the community," she said in a written statement.

Road alink fortrade, industry

Stone, who called the highway a "game-changer,"said it was crucial to B.C.'s economic development and would better connectport and rail facilities to the U.S.borderandthe B.C. Interior.

Delta-Richmond East MP Kerry-LynneFindlay said the new highway would facilitate international trade and contribute to job creation and economic growth across Canada, including the Lower Mainland.

"The completion of the South Fraser Perimeter Road is good news forthe Metro Vancouver region. It means a better road network and more capacity to transport goods to and from fast-growing marketsthroughout the Asia-Pacific region," said Findlay, in a written statement.

The federal government contributed $365 million toward the $658-millionSFPR project.

The B.C. government estimates 7,000jobs could be created in Delta and Surrey as a result of industrial development along areas with access to the road.