The concrete median barrier is installed along Highway 7 at Spilsbury Street (Nov 2024). (Image Credit: BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit.)
Highway 7

Improvements to Highway 7 between Mission and Maple Ridge now complete: B.C. govt.

Aug 24, 2026 | 11:08 AM

MAPLE RIDGE – The province says improvements to Highway 7 between 266 and 287 Street have been finalized, giving motorists travelling between Maple Ridge and Mission faster, safer travel due to newly added lanes spanning 4 km.

In a statement from the Ministry of Transportation and Transit, the province says the $130 million project widens approximately four kilometres of Highway 7 from two lanes to four lanes, completing the last two-lane, undivided section of highway in the corridor.

Improvements include a median barrier, wider shoulders to support active transportation and new turnaround facilities that improve safety and traffic flow. The province says the upgraded corridor will better accommodate growth while enhancing safety and reliability. Over 24,000 vehicles travel on Highway 7 each day. Safety and efficiency were among the stated concerns for this busy east-west connector.

It should be noted that the project did not meet initial timeline expectations. According to the government’s own website for the project, construction started in December 2022 and completion was expected by fall 2025.

Strong partnerships were instrumental in delivering the project to fruition, the province said. The project involved collaboration with Kwantlen First Nation throughout planning and construction, including habitat restoration partnerships and a cultural recognition initiative where Kwantlen artwork was installed on a retaining wall overlooking Highway 7. The design symbolizes the deep connection between the Kwantlen people and the lands the project sits on, reflecting their history, stewardship and ongoing presence.

Dan Ruimy, mayor of Maple Ridge, said, “Anyone who regularly travels between Maple Ridge and Mission knows how important this stretch of Highway 7 is to residents, businesses and the regional economy. Completing these improvements means less time spent in traffic, safer trips and a better experience for the thousands of people who rely on this route every day. As our community continues to grow, investments in transportation infrastructure like this help ensure people can stay connected to jobs, services and opportunities across the region.”

Mission Mayor Paul Horn echoed those sentiments. “For people in Mission, Highway 7 is more than a transportation corridor, it’s how many of us get to work, connect with friends and family and access important services in our region. For years, this stretch of highway has been a bottleneck and a source of frustration for drivers. Completing these improvements means safer more predictable travel so we spend less time in our cars,” Mayor Horn said.