Delta’s industrial areas are vital to the city’s economy but face growing infrastructure challenges. This issue will be discussed at an upcoming city council meeting.
Councillor Jennifer Johal, who put forward a motion last month, highlighted the importance of Delta’s industrial zones, especially Tilbury and Annacis Island. These areas contribute a large share of the city’s tax revenue and support many jobs.
Johal stressed the need for safe and accessible infrastructure. Workers in these zones depend on crosswalks, sidewalks, and transit facilities. However, the current infrastructure has not kept up with the rapid growth and increasing activity in these areas.
The motion asks city staff to review the condition of infrastructure in these industrial zones. It also calls for exploring funding options such as grants, partnerships, and a dedicated budget line for infrastructure upgrades in the next operating budget.
The Delta Chamber of Commerce supports this call. In a recent letter, board chair Ben Martin urged the city to use part of its surplus funds to improve roads, sidewalks, and transit shelters in Tilbury, Annacis Island, and Boundary Bay Airport areas. He pointed out that the lack of basic infrastructure is a real problem.
More than half of the city’s tax revenue comes from these industrial zones. Martin emphasized that investing in infrastructure here would benefit the entire city.
City staff responded by noting recent efforts to improve transportation in the industrial areas. Over the past few years, Delta has invested more than $5 million to expand sidewalks and improve cycling networks in Tilbury and Annacis.
Additionally, a new industrial bus shelter program was launched this year. The city allocated $200,000 to build shelters at five locations in these zones to better serve transit users.
Looking ahead, the city is working on its 2026 to 2030 budget plan. Staff say they will propose a series of road improvements, new sidewalks, and more bus shelters for council approval. These upgrades aim to support the growing transportation and infrastructure needs of residents and businesses.
