To everyone who has ever been stuck in traffic on Vedder Road, “your day has come,” said Mayor Sharon Gaetz triumphantly.

The Chilliwack mayor and other local reps braved the intermittent rain on Friday to celebrate the long-awaited $48.8-million Evans Road Connector project.

“I want to thank each and every one of you for joining together with us today as we celebrate the opening of the largest capital project that has happened in the City of Chilliwack to date,” said Gaetz.

The new road was opened to vehicle traffic months ahead of schedule, which is “absolutely remarkable,” she noted.

“Our city is growing, and this new project will reduce travel time,” added Mayor Gaetz.

“No more honking, no more giving the finger, no more rude gestures, you have a brand-new road to travel on,” she told the crowd gathered atop the new Evans overpass on Friday morning.

Several speeches acknowledged the $48.8-million project is so much more than just a road, as it’s also expected to trigger commercial and industrial development in the area.

Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon MP Chuck Strahl described the new road as “a pretty major thoroughfare” and transportation corridor for the city, but it’s also destined to “open up business opportunities” for local First Nations in the north side of the city.

“And when that happens, as I’ve said several times before, when First Nations communities do well, all of us do very well,” he said.

Walmart already has plans to build a 150,000-square foot store at Eagle Landing, were site work has already begun. An eight-theatre Cineplex is also expected to open soon.

Chilliwack MLA John Les pointed out the connector will also provide “another great link” to the new university campus being developed at the Canada Education Park, so “this is very important for our collective community.”

The rain failed to dampen the enthusiasm of a small group of attendees who made it to the top of the new overpass for the short ceremony. It included the mayor and city staff, provincial and federal reps, to the local descendants of the Evans family, as well as contractors, and project partners. They watched the antique car procession, and enjoyed the stirring pipes and drums of the Fraser Cheam Pipe Band.

The 2.5-km connector and interchange links Evans Road at Knight Road to the south, with Ashwell Road at Deans Avenue to the north; providing an alternate route for residents, businesses and visitors between Chilliwack and Sardis. Extended bike lanes and sidewalks will provide continuity for cyclists and pedestrians. There is a roundabout as well as bridge crossings over Chilliwack Creek and Chilliwack Creek diversion. The project also includes an at-grade rail crossing over the CN Railway. The Evans Road Connector project will connect Evans Road to Prospera Centre.

The Canada-BC Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund provided a $2 million grant, Ministry of Transportation contributed $4 million and ICBC has funded $100,000. The remaining costs were paid for by city development cost charges. The $48.8 million budget for the Evans Road Connector project includes land purchase, utilities, environmental and engineering costs. A total of $150,000 was put aside for landscape work, expected to be completed in spring 2010.

The Evans Road Connector was made possible through a partnership between the Squiala First Nation and the federal, provincial and municipal governments. A land easement agreement allows the new road to cross Squiala lands. The agreement includes the installation of underground utility services, which opens up over 100 acres of land for First Nation development.

jfeinberg@theprogress.com