British ColumbiaThe City of Langley has completed the revitalization of the Fraser Highway One-Way. The transformation aims to make the downtown core more vibrant and accessible while supporting the city’s growth. After eight months of construction disruptions, local businesses are now hoping to recover.Businesses hope to bounce back after challenging 8 months of constructionBaneet Braich · CBC News · Posted: Sep 23, 2025 9:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours agoThe City of Langley says the revitalization of the Fraser Highway One-Way is its largest city-funded infrastructure project to date. (City of Langley )Sitting at a picnic table under a canopy of colourful umbrellas, lifelong Langley resident Jim McGregor takes in the new changes to a downtown he’s known well for decades.The revitalized Fraser Highway One-Way anchors the heart of the City of Langley’s historic downtown. The road is freshly paved between mom-and-pop shops, restaurants and cafes, and now lined with wider sidewalks, new gathering areas, more greenery and significant underground upgrades. “I would describe it as vibrant,” said the 76-year-old who also reminisced about driving down the same street on Friday nights as a teenager. “You have to keep upgrading … but still [maintain] your small town flavour.”The City of Langley says the $19-million revitalization has been its largest city-funded project to date. The transformation is aimed at inviting more visitors and businesses as the community grows and prepares for the nearby Langley City Centre SkyTrain station anticipated in 2029.Langley resident Jim McGregor welcomes the upgrades and the balance of new and historic elements in downtown. (Baneet Braich/CBC)Initially presented to businesses in 2018, the SkyTrain expansion along the Fraser Highway has also come with its challenges as shops that faced around eight months of construction disruptions now look to bounce back. “We lost income or we cut staff hours, everything [was at] risk, but now it’s open, so hopefully it’s getting better very soon,” said Gurjant Sandhu, owner of Ashoka Indian Cuisine.”Making sure that we can get folks from the SkyTrain, walking downtown, shopping and supporting local businesses is really important for our community,” said Mayor Nathan Pachal. “It’s the heart. It’s a symbol of Langley city.”The City of Langley describes itself as a 10-square-kilometre urban centre with a population of around 33,000 residents. The latest census data shows it saw a population increase of 11.9 per cent between 2016 and 2021. The growth was greater than several larger neighbouring cities, including Abbotsford, Surrey and Burnaby.Underground upgrades, new gathering spaces and greeneryTo improve the growing community, the revitalization project began with a need to update old pipes underground from 204 Street to 206 Street. Pachal said the initial infrastructure was over 100 years old and included aging wooden and clay pipes and old concrete from around the Second World War era.City of Langley Mayor Nathan Pachal says the projects aims to improve crucial infrastructure, pedestrian amenities and create a more welcoming space as the city grows and prepares for the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain Station, expected in 2029. (Baneet Braich/CBC)The new improvements underground include the replacement of the aging water main, sanitary and storm sewers and installing new B.C. Hydro infrastructure. “It really needed to be redone, and really top to bottom and from one building to the other … a really extensive project,” said Pachal. The city says sidewalks have been widened and are more accessible, and 85 new trees and 630 shrubs have been planted alongside new street furniture and lights. Businesses hope to recover construction time lossesWhile the changes bring new vibrancy, some local businesses say they’ve been hit hard from construction disruptions that shut down the street and made it difficult for visitors to enjoy the area.”I’m in the hole pretty deeply,” said Bob Foster, owner of Krazy Bob’s Music Emporium, which has been downtown for more than 30 years. Foster said the music store lined with records and CDs to vintage props lost about 60 per cent in sales per month during construction, forcing him to cut back operations from six to five days a week. “It hurts a lot. And I’ve built this over years, and the idea that I might have to close down is quite heartbreaking,” said Foster. Bob Foster, owner of Krazy Bob’s Music Emporium, says his business lost about 60 per cent of their sales each month during construction and he’s now hoping to recover. (Baneet Braich/CBC)Down the street, Gurjant Sandhu said his Indian restaurant lost about 50 per cent of their sales each month and reduced weekend staffing by half.”It’s been very hard,” he said, lathering fresh garlic naan with butter earlier this month.However, both business owners say they remain optimistic about business improving in the neighbourhood. “I’m hoping that people will use the space and come back. But sometimes, when it’s too difficult to come back … they don’t come back. And that’s a big loss,” said Foster. The City of Langley says much of the investment went to repairing aging water, sanitary and storm sewer infrastructure. (City of Langley )As an effort to draw people back to the downtown core, the Downtown Langley Business Association has launched a new campaign called Rediscover Downtown Langley, which runs until Oct. 19. The contest offers a chance for visitors to enter and win $1,000 prizes to spend at participating downtown businesses. “We encourage people to come down here and shop and support these businesses because they’ve gone through a long eight months,” said the association’s executive director, Chris Parsons.McGregor, walking through the neighbourhood on a Thursday morning, said it’s important that the project has been undertaken — it’s keeping pace with the growth of the community.”It’s the place to be for just enjoyment of life.”ABOUT THE AUTHORBaneet Braich is a journalist with CBC News. Connect with her at baneet.braich@cbc.ca or on Twitter at @Baneet_BraichBaneet_Braich
City of Langley completes historic infrastructure project to boost business and visitors
