Balancing Community Priorities with Affordability
Maple Ridge, B.C., December 17, 2025 – Maple Ridge Council has adopted a new five-year capital plan that focuses on getting infrastructure built, supporting growth, and delivering the core services residents rely on every day — while continuing to develop a 2026 operating budget with a strong focus on affordability.
At a special meeting yesterday, Council approved the $431.98 million 2026–2030 Capital Plan, advancing close to 140 investments in transportation, public safety, utilities, and community facilities. Council also approved 14 one-time funded project initiatives out of operating budget surplus with no impact on tax rates.
The capital and operating budgets are guided by resident feedback gathered through budget engagement and other community input over the past year.
“Residents have been clear that they want the City to focus on affordability, core services, and getting infrastructure built,” said Mayor Dan Ruimy. “With Maple Ridge growing at nearly twice the national rate, this capital plan delivers the roads, facilities, and services residents need today while planning responsibly for future growth. It also builds on the work we did in 2025 and enables the City to move forward on priorities including managing traffic congestion, planning for recreation amenities, upgrading parks and trails, and unlocking industrial lands along 256 Street to grow our local economy and diversify our tax base.”
Getting Infrastructure Built: 2026 Capital Budget Highlights
The $115.6-million capital budget for 2026 invests in 99 projects that prioritize supporting growth, reducing traffic congestion, improving safety, and maintaining essential infrastructure. Of this total, $43.8 million is directed to key projects that reflect City priorities or are required by legislation or regulation.
Major capital investments include:
- Extending Abernethy Way from 232 Street to 240 Street, improving east-west traffic flow and preparing for future Bus Rapid Transit along Lougheed Highway
- Starting construction of a new Protective Services Building in West Maple Ridge, strengthening emergency response and community safety
- Planning a new multi-use community park to increase access to recreation
- Safety improvements at Dewdney Trunk Road and 256 Street including road widening to reduce collisions, and improve traffic flow and the movement of goods
- Rail safety upgrades at 203 Street / Maple Crescent and Port Haney crossings
- A new HVAC unit for the Leisure Centre teach pool, supporting health and wellbeing
- Project management support in Engineering to help deliver projects efficiently and on time
- Enhancements to the City’s financial and human resources technology to improve efficiency and service delivery
The capital budget also includes:
- Infrastructure Enhancements ($37.8 million) including active transportation improvements, flood prevention works, utility upgrades, and land acquisition for a future 124 Avenue park
- Renewal & Maintenance Projects ($31.6 million) to extend the life of roads, utilities, and other critical assets
- Enabling Investments ($1.2 million) to unlock future growth opportunities, including Whonnock Lake facility improvements and greenbelt acquisition
- Monitoring, Analysis, Research, and Studies ($1.2 million) to inform future projects
The capital plan also sets aside funding in 2030 to prepare for a 240 Street bridge north of 124 Avenue, contingent on funding support from other levels of government, to improve access and unlock growth potential in north Maple Ridge.
“These are smart, long-term investments that create value for families and the entire community, and we will continue advocating for sustainable federal and provincial infrastructure funding to support this growth and get shovels in the ground,” added Mayor Ruimy.
Keeping It Affordable: How Capital Projects Are Funded
Capital projects are funded through a combination of reserves built up over time, grants, debt, prior-year surpluses, and general revenue through taxation. Staff reviewed all reserves and funding opportunities and prioritized projects to minimize the impact on 2026 taxes. Project selection considered:
- Council direction and resident feedback through various engagement opportunities
- Rising construction and material costs
- The City’s “dig once” approach to improve efficiency and reduce disruption
- Asset condition, risk, and regulatory requirements
- Capacity of staff and contractors to manage and deliver the plan’s projects and programs
Delivering What Matters: One-Time Priority Projects
Council also approved approximately $1.5 million in one-time projects, funded through accumulated surplus with no direct impact on the 2026 property tax increase. These investments will:
- Improve community safety through enhanced evacuation planning in areas at higher risk of flooding or wildfires
- Enhance access to external data to support better decision-making in areas such as tourism, business development, recreation, and investment attraction
- Manage risk responsibly by ensuring planning and policy development initiatives are based on geotechnical, environmental, and peer reviews
- Support community engagement on major infrastructure projects
- Gather data on natural assets to guide future land-use planning, climate action, and sustainable growth and inform the upcoming Official Community Plan review
- Refresh the Agriculture Plan to support and strengthen the agricultural sector
- Enhance community events and pride through improved Canada Day, Rock the Block, and Our Neck of the Woods celebrations, along with additional traffic control and a mobile stage
2026 Operating Budget: Next Steps
Work will continue in the new year to refine the 2026 operating budget, which currently includes a targeted property tax increase of 3.5 per cent. Council and staff will continue to look for efficiencies and ways to manage costs responsibly before bringing a draft budget forward for public feedback in February.
Operating Budget Timeline:
- December 2025 – Public information launch (Budget Talks videos, website updates)
- December 2025 & January 2026 – Council deliberations
- February 2026 – Public engagement on draft 2026 operating budget
- Spring 2026 – Adoption of Financial Plan and Tax Rate Bylaws
City staff have made considerable progress in delivering on projects from the 2025 Capital Plan with 57 investments from the 2025-2029 Capital Plan now completed or nearing completion. For capital budget information, visit MapleRidge.ca/CapitalPlan. To learn more about the operating budget process, visit MapleRidge.ca/Budget.
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Media Contact:
Pardeep Purewal, Senior Manager Corporate Communications and Public Engagement
T 604 466 4319 C 778 955 4249
E media@mapleridge.ca