Langley is getting a $54.6 million park and ride and transit exchange at 202 Street, south of Highway 1. It will include a transit exchange for buses crossing the new Port Mann Bridge.

The announcement came late Thursday afternoon. The lot and exchange, which includes a tunnel undcer Highway 1, will be funded by the federal and provincial governments.

The massive transit infrastructure project will include a parking lot to accommodate 1,000 vehicles and an underpass for rapid transit buses to connect to HOV lanes on Highway One.

But the huge project was news to Township Mayor Rick Green and administrator Mark Bakken.

“A park and ride was thrown around as an idea to be tied in with Gateway, but nothing was concrete. We didn’t know,” Green said on Thursday afternoon.

Green said he remembers when relocation of the park and ride was floated nearly a decade ago. It met with much opposition from residents.

An existing park and ride lot was turned into commercial space as part of the 200 Street overpass project. Since then, space has been available for bus commuters to park at the Colossus theatre site.

But the plan was nixed, it isn’t something council has addressed since, he said.

The province announced it’s providing $32.7 million for the $54.6 million transit hub. The federal government is contributing $19.15 million from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. TransLink is investing $2.75 million.

The new project will be located on the south side of Highway 1 between the highway and 86 Avenue.

The transit exchange will be the new eastern terminal for Highway 1 rapid bus service from Langley to Burnaby, which will reinstate transit service across the Port Mann Bridge for the first time in over 20 years.

Eastbound access from Highway 1 to the park and ride will be created, with underpass access on and off Highway 1 connecting to HOV lanes being extended as part of the Port Mann Bridge/Highway 1 project.

Then 202 Street will be extended to cross under Highway 1, which will permit transit and HOV vehicles access to Highway 1.

This will also provide a new north/south transit connection from 200 Street to the Golden Ears Bridge.

“Investing in transit infrastructure is one of the best uses of Infrastructure Stimulus Fund dollars, especially in Langley,” said Langley MP Mark Warawa in making the announcement on Thursday afternoon.

“Economically, environmentally and socially improving Langley’s transit system will continue to bring benefits to those who live, work and play in our community. I am thrilled by the government of Canada’s contribution of $19.15 million to this project.”

“This is a welcome addition to the exciting expansion plans for Highway 1 and the Port Mann, improving Langley residents’ accessibility to the Lower Mainland,” Fort Langley-Aldergrove MLA Rich Coleman stated in a press release.

“The new park and ride will allow more people to get out of their cars and on to public transit, reducing our carbon footprint and improving traffic conditions,” said Langley MLA Mary Polak. “This project, in addition to a recent joint announcement to upgrade 208 Street (in Langley City), demonstrates our commitment to Langley’s future.”

The project is funded under the $14 billion provincial transit plan, said TransLink.

This announcement follows a recent $5 million federal, provincial and municipal joint-project to upgrade 208 Street, from 48 Avenue to Fraser Highway, including bi-directional bicycle lanes.

Warawa has also announced, on behalf of the federal government, numerous other funding commitments in Langley in recent weeks.