B.C. farmer concerned about road closure

Mar 29, 2018

Rhonda Driediger estimates she could lose $500K if an important road is off limits

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

A Langley, B.C. farmer worries a potential road closure could significantly impact her business.

The Township of Langley has scheduled a railway upgrade along 72 Avenue from May to September. It’s one of 29 required improvements in the area that need to be completed by the end of 2021 to meet Transport Canada’s new grade crossing standards.

The construction would completely shut down 72 Avenue, cutting off access to Driediger Farms, a 160-acre fruit farm. The farm produces raspberries, blackberries and blueberries. It has North American distribution and on-farm sales. The farm also employs about 110 people.

Rhonda Driediger
BC Agricultural Council

Rhonda Driediger, owner of the farm, appeared in front of Langley councillors on March 19 to ask them to postpone the upgrades until after harvest. She highlighted the economic impact the road closure could have on her business, which attracts about 60,000 visitors each year.

“You’d like to close my road, the only road to my market, actually directly in front of my market, from May to September,” she told councillors, according to a council recording. “I’m thinking I’m probably going to lose half of a million dollars in sales.”

A staff reduction may be necessary and the rerouting of 200 could be required she said, adding that construction in September would have no impact on her business.

If the project moves forward, she will approach the Township to recoup any losses associated with the railway construction, she said.

Completing the upgrades now is beneficial financially for the Township, Langley representatives said.

Working through the winter can increase the costs of the project, and finishing the upgrades before November 2018 would help the Township receive a federal grant to cover half of the cost, said Ramin Seifi, general manager of engineering and community development, according to the council recording.

Farms.com has reached out to Driediger for an update on the situation.

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