Artist Keerat Kaur to create ‘Life Along the Creek’ installation
Surrey Council has approved a $125,000 public art contract for Canadian artist and architect Keerat Kaur, whose design will be featured on the new Bear Creek Bridge at 140 Street in Newton. The project, expected to be completed by Fall 2026, will showcase eight powder-coated steel panels — four on each side of the bridge.
Councillor Pardeep Kooner praised the selection, calling it “absolutely beautiful artwork.” Laurie Cavan, Surrey’s general manager of parks, recreation and culture, assured council that production and installation will proceed as quickly as possible.
Celebrating nature and urban ecology
Kaur’s proposed artwork, titled “Life Along the Creek,” highlights the diversity of wildlife supported by Bear Creek. Each panel will feature different species, including salmon, beavers, mallard ducks, and frogs, surrounded by rippling water patterns.
“The artwork honours the cycles, migrations, and interdependencies that make urban waterways not only beautiful but ecologically vital,” Cavan explained.
A community selection panel formed in August reviewed six artist proposals before unanimously recommending Kaur’s design. The panel included local residents, volunteers from the Surrey Arts Centre, and a professional public artist experienced in bridge installations.
About the artist
Kaur, licensed with the Ontario Association of Architects, is known for blending painting, sculpture, writing, and architecture in her multidisciplinary practice. Her art draws inspiration from Indic philosophies, weaving themes of nature and spirituality throughout her work.
The approved budget of $125,000 covers all costs — artist fees, design, fabrication, installation, and long-term maintenance.
Bridge replacement underway
The city is also replacing the 50-year-old Bear Creek Bridge and widening 140 Street from two lanes to four, adding cycling and pedestrian infrastructure. The $7.57 million construction contract was awarded to B.A. Blacktop Infrastructure Inc., with completion targeted for Fall 2026.
According to Scott Neuman, Surrey’s general manager of engineering, the upgraded bridge will be raised slightly to prevent overflow during heavy rains and to create more passage for wildlife beneath the structure.
“It will be a bit higher, which will allow safer wildlife movement through the corridor on dry days,” Neuman said.
Together, the infrastructure and artwork will transform the Bear Creek area into a functional and cultural landmark celebrating Surrey’s natural heritage.
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