Travelers taking flights to and from a Fraser Valley airport will have improved access and safety, including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Upgrades to Mount Lehman Road, between the Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) and Great Northern Avenue, have been completed and the road has been reopened to traffic.

The road has been widened from two lanes to four, and new bike lanes and a sidewalk have also been added. The four lanes and bike lane were completed in mid-November and opened on November 25.

A dedicated southbound left-turn lane at the intersection of Mount Lehman Road and Simpson Road has been created, and a new signal has been installed at Mount Lehman Road and Marshall Road.

The Marshall Road Extension was realigned to increase safety in this section, and lighting along the corridor has been improved.

The project was funded by the Canadian government ($8.4 million), the B.C. government ($17.1 million), and the City of Abbotsford ($2 million) for a total cost of $27.5 million.

Calgary-based WestJet's no-frills, discount airline Swoop began operating flights from YXX in June 2018.