Active Transportation Network Plan: Year 1 Routes
What’s happening?
In October 2022, Council approved the Active Transportation Network Plan, initiating a five-year plan to develop a network of active transportation routes to connect major destinations, including neighbourhoods, commercial areas, civic facilities, schools, parks, and routes between different regions.
This network will be user-friendly for people of all ages and abilities and make walking and biking in New Westminster safer, more accessible, and more convenient. It’s an exciting step to building a more accessible, equitable, and sustainable city!
Key Features of the Active Transportation Network Plan
- Improve and expand the existing all-ages-and-abilities (AAA) active transportation network by providing safer and more comfortable options to travel through New Westminster.
- Improve the safety and accessibility of walking and cycling routes to other parts of the city and regional destinations.
- Use quick-build designs (where possible), which are more economical, faster to install and easier to adjust.
- Supports the City’s Master Transportation Plan goals and Seven Bold Steps for Climate Action.
In 2024, the City is planning to complete detailed plans for five routes identified in the Active Transportation Network Plan. Planning and public engagement for the Boyd Street and Seventh Avenue West corridors were completed earlier this year, and construction for these routes is expected to begin in early 2025. For more information about these corridors, see the “Past Engagement” section below.
Documents and Links
City of New Westminster Active Transportation Plan (2022)
Active Transportation Core Network Map
City of New Westminster Master Transportation Plan (2015)
New Westminster City Council Approval of Active Transportation Network Plan (October 2022)
Year 1: What We Heard Report Boyd Street and Seventh Avenue West (October 2024)
Year 1: What We Heard Report Seventh Street (January 2025)
Who's Listening
Frequently Asked Questions
Past Engagement
Phases
Engagement reporting and refine designs for Seventh Street corridor
Project update, March 17, 2025:
Based on input received through public engagement, the designs for the Seventh Street Active Transportation Network project have been changed.
In response to community feedback, the following updates have been made to the planned route:
1) No diverter at Fourth Avenue and Seventh Street: The planned diverter has been removed from the design, allowing drivers to continue north on Seventh Street through Fourth Avenue. However, due to conflicts between cyclists and vehicles, no left turns will be allowed from Seventh Street onto Fourth Avenue westbound.
2) More parking retained between Queens Avenue and Royal Avenue: In the original design, street parking would have been retained on the east side and removed from the west side of Seventh Street between Queens and Royal. Now, the design keeps street parking on the west side instead, which results in fewer parking spaces removed. The bike lane will remain on the west side of the street.
- Previous Design (Queens Avenue to Royal Avenue): 19 parking spots removed on the west side.
- Updated Design (Queens Avenue to Royal Avenue): 9 parking spots removed on the east side. Existing street parking is retained on the west side.
3) Additional loading zones: More loading zones will be added along the corridor to accommodate local needs.
The project team is now finalizing the design, and construction is scheduled to begin in May 2025. Closer to the construction start, more information will be available on the main City website.
Project update, January 22, 2025:
Thank you for participating and contributing to the Active Transportation Network Plan: Seventh Street Corridor project! Click here to read the Engagement Summary Report to see what the community shared.
With the community’s input, the project team will work to analyze the collected data and make refinements and adjustments to the route along Seventh Street. Updates to the design based on the feedback received will be shared with the public, and the final designs are expected to be completed in early 2025. Check back here for updates on the route and construction timelines!