FUNDING: Federal government announces $81.7 M for upgrades to five mini projects along Hwy 91 and Hwy 17 in #Delta and #Surrey #cdnpoli 1/2 pic.twitter.com/h5GOsFh0ts

â?? Ashley Wadhwani (@ashwadhwani) March 10, 2017

Five projects will soon be underway along highways in Delta and Surrey, as part of a new $245-million upgrade.

The federal and provincial governments announced Friday that they will each contribute about $80 million, as will the Vancouver Port Authority, while the Tsawwassen First Nation will pitch in $3.5 million.

Delta Mayor Lois Jackson called the upgrades “exciting and vitally important” to help both commuters and local businesses.

The initiative will aim to reduce congestion along three areas of Highway 91, its connector, and Highway 17, including upgrades and replacements to on and off ramps.

Projects also include the construction of 15 kilometres in new highway and interchange ramps at the Nordel Way interchange, the widening of Deltaport Way, and upgrades to the Sunbury Interchange, which started last year.

RELATED: Construction to start on interchange in Delta

“In addition to breaking down some traffic bottlenecks,” said Delta North MLA Scott Hamilton, “these projects will provide truckers with better access to weigh scales, the Nordel overnight truck parking area, and the Tsawwassen First Nation industrial development, which will host the new Canada Service Border Agency’s container screening facility.”

Construction is set to begin this year and end in 2021.