Fwd: Concerns regarding 216th Street

[Ken & Thordis]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Ken & Thordis <ktm...@shaw.ca>

Subject: Concerns regarding 216th Street

Date: July 14, 2025 at 8:39:07 AM PDT

To: bmar...@tol.ca

Cc: ewoo...@tol.ca, langl...@rcmp-grc.gc.ca, Shezana...@translink.ca, by...@tol.ca, Christine Burdeniuk <burd...@shaw.ca>

Dear Councillor Martens,

Last week, I spoke with a Commercial Bylaws Enforcement Officer, regarding traffic in the Walnut Grove area, specifically 216th Street.  He suggested that I write to you, to convey my concerns.  216th Street is the only exit from the No. 1 Highway that goes directly into a residential area on the north side and ALR on the south side. There are a couple of things that concern me since the interchange has been opened;  large commercial vehicles exiting the freeway heading north on 216th Street and increased vehicle speed on 216th Street.

Years ago, the Township Council unanimously approved a motion that 216th Street from 88th Avenue, south to the Interchange would not be a Truck Route, part of the Major Road Network , with the exception of local deliveries.  In fact, the opening of the interchange was delayed by a few days, as the Ministry of Highways posted signage to reflect the Townships decision that this portion of 216th is not a Truck Route and Local Deliveries Only.  However, 216th Street from 88th Avenue north to 96th Avenue is a Truck Route and part of the Major Road Network.  It is hard to understand that a Truck Route would be located in a residential area, where we have two schools, two daycares, playgrounds, sports fields, community gardens, and greenway crossing near 96th Avenue.  This area is comprised of all ages from toddlers, to school children, to parents, to senior citizens that actively use the pathways and crosswalks on 216th Street.  With our continued good weather there is more pedestrian and bicycle activity on this road.

I have seen Bylaws enforcement on the south side of the freeway.  Can we not have Bylaws enforcement on the north side of the freeway? The Langley Advance Times (May 4, 2025), reported that on April 29, 2025 Police and Bylaw Officers led a truck safety crackdown where 97 total inspections were conducted, leading to 52 vehicles being pulled out of service, and a total of 274 violations were observed.  Very astonishing numbers.  Perhaps it is time to conduct another such inspection on the north side of the interchange.  In so doing, this could help to enforce the No Commercial Vehicles on 216th Street, from the freeway north to 88th Avenue. 

In addition to Bylaws enforcement, there is a need for the RCMP to patrol speed limits on 216th Street, north of the freeway.  This stretch of the road, north to 96th Avenue, has a couple of hills and vehicles are inclined to pick up speed, either going up the hill or down the hill.  It is especially evident in the evening, usually between 12:00 midnight and 2:00 am.  Summer evenings, Friday and Saturdays, see vehicles continuing to exceeding the 50 km posted speed.  It seems that vehicles turning from 92nd Avenue heading south on 216th Street, feel the need to "put the pedal to the metal", and we can hear their tires laying a strip of rubber on the roadway. The street is wide and invites this type of driving.  We need police resources to slow the traffic down.  As I have mentioned above, this is a residential area where 50 km speeds should be adhered to.

Councillor Martens you met with concerned citizens from this area on May 8, 2023, and you put forward a Notice of Motion regarding the Completion of 216 Street Road dieting.  As a result of the first part of this motion, a 30 km school zone was implemented at Topham Elementary School.  This motion was something that parents of elementary school children and residents in this community were most thankful for.  On September 25, 2023, Council unanimously approved the Road Diet Plan for 216th Street, to spend $ 250,000 for the detailed design phase and public consultation on the plan which will restrict the road to two lanes.  Public consultation was held, and, if the project is funded, construction would take place from autumn of 2024 to end of 2025.  Construction to implement further road dieting has not begun.  Will we ever see road dieting on 216th Street from 88th Avenue to 96th Avenue?  This is why we need an increased police presence and bylaw enforcement to keep our street safe.

Thank you for consideration of the above.

Thordis McRae

#2 9025 216th Street

778-298-2573

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; 

Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”   Margaret Mead

[Ken & Thordis]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Barb Martens <bmar...@tol.ca>

Subject: Re: Concerns regarding 216th Street

Date: July 16, 2025 at 11:31:06 AM PDT

To: Ken & Thordis <ktm...@shaw.ca>

Cc: "burd...@shaw.ca" <burd...@shaw.ca>

Good morning Thordis,

Thank you for reaching out. I appreciate that the process is rather protracted but to address some of your questions:

1) I have spoken with the Commercial Vehicle Unit (one bylaw officer) and he indicated that you communicated your concerns directly to him. I believe he has plans to set up on that stretch in the future. As discussed previously, he does not have authority to stop moving vehicles so it will be a “JFO” (Joint Forces Operation) with police officers. There is a group of police, CVSE and bylaw officers who conduct these JFOs and are represented by several municipalities. 

2) I have relayed your concerns to the Langley RCMP about speeding along that stretch. Resources are limited as a handful of traffic officers are responsible for the entire municipality. I will also mention this to their volunteer coordinator to see if the speed watch volunteers could set up from time to time (daytime only).

3) In my opinion, enforcement will assist but is not a long term or consistent solution to changed driving behaviour. The best way is to make changes through environmental design, “Road Dieting”. Here is the link to the latest updates from TOL. I believe the project has been referred to the budget process for 2026 but I am waiting on confirmation from the CAO. In the spirit of responding to your email in a timely fashion, I wanted to send you what I have heard so far and will follow up once I hear back. 

I note you cc’d Mayor Woodward. Perhaps he may have responded already to your email? Keep up on the advocacy! 

Barb Martens | Councillor
Township of Langley Mayor & Council
20338 - 65 Avenue, Langley BC  V2Y 3J1
Cell: 778.708.8602

On Jul 14, 2025, at 8:39 AM, Ken & Thordis <ktm...@shaw.ca> wrote:

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