The City of Coquitlam has gained some traction around signage near the Port Mann Bridge, though the province doesn't appear to be budging on the main sticking point.

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure spokesperson Kate Trotter told The NOW new signs with specific city names will be added near the Cape Horn Interchange and in Surrey.

Though those signs will indicate which cities motorists are headed to, they won't feature the names of the highways they're travelling on, a point Coquitlam council and staff have lobbied for nearly two years to change.

Instead, the long-established system of numerical identification will be used. Those signs will refer to Barnet Highway as Highway 7A, Lougheed Highway as Highway 7, and the Mary Hill Bypass as Route 7B.

"While these signs will still use numerical references, the wording will read 'Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody - Use Hwy 7' to ensure drivers coming off the new Port Mann Bridge and Highway 1 eastbound out of Burnaby are aware of where to go, and what exits to take," Trotter said.

Council voted last week to send a letter to Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Mary Polak, asking her to intervene.

According to Trotter, Polak had not received the letter by late last week, and isn't prepared to comment on the process until a later date.

jkurucz@thenownews.com