Why are Port Coquitlam taxpayers paying for improvements that will help Coquitlam?
Almost half of the project budget is being paid by grants from TransLink and others, so in essence, taxpayers from across the region and the province are contributing substantially to this local project. Sometimes a local infrastructure project will benefit other communities. For example, the David Avenue Connector is used frequently by Port Coquitlam residents, although the City did not contribute to the construction costs. The Coast Meridian Overpass may be used by other communities, but clearly everyone in Port Coquitlam will benefit from the increased access and mobility the project will bring, from businesses to residents to emergency responders. It may be important to the region, but it is even more important to our community.
