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The government of Canada, province of British Columbia and city of Abbotsford recently announced plans for a major upgrade to Highway 11 along a key rail and road corridor.

The $25 million project calls for extending a highway lane to the U.S. border and building a two-lane overpass over Canadian Pacific and Southern Railway of British Columbia tracks to improve safety and reduce congestion at an existing grade crossing. In addition, a new crossing will be built along McConnell Road to connect Riverside Road to Highway 11.

Scheduled to begin in 2014 and conclude in fall 2016, the project is being funded by federal, provincial and city governments. The federal funding is contingent upon the completion of a project review and environmental assessments, and the signing of a contribution agreement.

"As the community of Abbotsford and the entire Fraser Valley region have grown in recent decades, we've seen this vital transportation corridor become more and more congested, which hampers our local economy," said Abbotsford Mayor Bruce Banman in a press release. "This long-term solution is going to bring major improvements in traffic flow, safety and traveling ease."