Hundreds of residents in Surrey, B.C., packed into a gymnasium Friday night to protest a proposal to build an eight-lane road through Bear Creek Park.
The proposed road would connect 84th Avenue between 140th Street and King George Highway
"There's no room in this area for roads," Sayaka Nelson, rally organizer, told CTV News. "It's not going to help any of the traffic congestion. It's going through quiet neighbourhoods. It's going to destroy acres of sensitive habitat for wildlife and ruin the biodiversity of the park."
Critics say the park is home to great horned owls, bald eagles, deer and other wildlife.
City staff are recommending city council approve the road construction to help ease traffic congestion along 88th Avenue. The intersection at 88th and King George Highway is one of the top 10 worst motor-vehicle accident locations in the province, according to city staff.
After Friday night's gathering, residents moved their protest to a local church. They plan to show up at city hall on Monday, when the city council is scheduled to vote on whether to move forward with the proposal.
