Active Transportation Network Plan: Third Avenue
Project update, February 19, 2025:
The What We Heard Report for Third Avenue is now available.
The Third Avenue Route will provide a direct east-west connection through the Brow of the Hill and Queen’s Park neighbourhoods, from Stewardson Way in the west to First Street in the east. This 1.9km route will provide a direct connection to the BC Parkway via Stewardson Way, and connections to the commercial area in Uptown New Westminster via Seventh Street, and the existing pathway network in Queen’s Park.
This route is not an existing bikeway but would connect to several existing bike routes in the area. Third Avenue is currently a local street with very few traffic calming and diversion features.
Map: the Third Avenue Route highlighted on the Active Transportation Network Plan Year 2 Routes map.
Click here to view a larger version.
The Active Transportation Network Plan and the network of routes identified in the plan were approved by Council in 2022, with construction for all routes to be completed by 2030. The plan and its routes, including the Third Avenue Route, support Council’s Strategic Priorities of a people-centred economy and the safe movement of people. Decisions about the overall network, routes, and timelines have already been made.
Active transportation changes along each route include planned safety improvements (informed by technical information), and other proposed improvements with several feasible options. At this stage, we are asking for your feedback on the proposed improvements along this route, to help finalize the detailed designs.
We want to hear from you to understand how well the proposed improvements will contribute to a more comfortable, walkable, bike-friendly New Westminster. The City is also engaging directly with interest groups along the route to hear their perspectives on the proposed improvements.
Active Transportation Changes
Improvements along this route aim to create a safe, comfortable walking and cycling experience. We want to add more space for people walking, lower vehicle speeds, and lower the number of vehicles on the street.
- Reducing vehicle traffic volumes between Tenth Street and Second Street, to improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. There is too much vehicle traffic in this area for it to safely be a local street bikeway. There are two ways vehicle traffic volumes could be reduced:
► One-way vehicle traffic between Sixth Street and Seventh Street. Restricting this section of Third Avenue to westbound traffic only would reduce vehicle volumes, helping to ensure a safe and comfortable shared street environment for all users. The City is considering applying westbound one-way traffic either to the entire block or a portion of the block.
► A median on Eighth Street to divert vehicle traffic to other streets (restricting vehicle traffic from driving straight across Third Avenue). Traffic on Third Avenue must turn right at Eighth Street, and traffic on Eighth Street cannot turn left onto Third Avenue.
Alternatively, protected bike lanes could be created to physically separate cyclists from traffic. This would not reduce the level of vehicle traffic but would create a safer space for cyclists. This option would be more costly and would require removal of parking on both sides of the street.
- Curb extension and crosswalks at Fifth Street to improve safety and visibility for people crossing Third Avenue, and reduce the distance they need to cross. Pedestrians crossing Third Avenue on both sides of Fifth Street currently do not have good visibility. This intersection is wide and the crossing areas are far apart. The City is considering removing up to six parking spaces on the south side of Third Avenue to extend the curb and improve visibility for people crossing on both sides of Fifth Street.
- A two-way protected bike lane between Stewardson Way and 12th Street to connect with the BC Parkway. To provide a safer crossing at Stewardson Way and Third Avenue, an intersection improvement project is planned as a separate initiative. Five on-street parking spaces on the north side and four on the south side of the street would be removed to make space for the bike lane.
Planned two-way protected bike lane between Stewardson Way and 12th Street
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- One-way vehicle traffic between 12th Street and Louellen Street. Adjusting this steep section of Third Avenue to one-way westbound only, by restricting right-turn traffic from 12th Street, would create more space for sidewalk improvements and a two-way protected bike lane to establish the cycling connection. The westbound right-turn from Third Avenue onto 12th Street would remain unchanged to reduce traffic using Third Avenue as a shortcut.
Planned one-way vehicle traffic between 12th Street and Louellen Street
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- Sidewalk widening between 12th Street and 11th Street. Widening the sidewalk wherever possible on the north side of Third Avenue would make this steep section of the street more comfortable for pedestrians.
- Curb extension at Mowat Street, to slow vehicle traffic on this steep section of the route, creating a safer space for cyclists and vehicles to share. Five parking spaces would need to be removed on the north side of the street to extend the curb.
Planned curb extension at Mowat Street
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- New and improved rectangular rapid flashing beacons (pedestrian and cyclist-controlled crossing lights) at Eighth Street and Sixth Street.
Example of a rectangular rapid flashing beacon in the City of New Westminster
- Changing the existing stop signs at Ash Street to give the right of way to east-west traffic travelling along Third Avenue.
- Connections to the Seventh Street Route (an Active Transportation Network Plan: Year 1 Route), Ninth Street Route (an Active Transportation Network Plan: Year 2 Route), and BC Parkway at Stewardson Way.
- Crossing improvements at Second Street, including a painted crosswalk and traffic calming curbs to reduce pedestrian crossing distance and slow down turning vehicles.
- A raised intersection at First Street, at the connection to Queen’s Park. The raised intersection will help slow vehicle traffic travelling through the intersection, making it safer for pedestrians to cross.
Example of a raised intersection at Tenth Street and Seventh Avenue.
These proposed improvements are shown on the graphic below.
Map: Proposed active transportation improvements along the Third Avenue Route
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💬Pop-ups
Share your thoughts with the project team in-person at one of our pop-ups.
- Tuesday, November 25, from 3:00 – 5:00 pm at Irving House, 302 Royal Avenue
- Wednesday, November 26, from 3:00 – 7:00 pm at the Queensborough Community Centre, 920 Ewen Avenue
- Saturday, November 29, from 12:00 – 2:00 pm at the Queen's Park Arena, 51 Third Avenue
📝Online survey
Share your thoughts on these proposed improvements by taking the Third Avenue Route survey on Be Heard New West.
The survey is open until December 10, 2025.
Your input will be reviewed following the community engagement and will be used to adjust and refine the proposed improvements along the Third Avenue Route. Updates to the design based on the feedback received will be shared on this project page. Final designs are expected to be completed in the winter 2025-2026, and construction of the new active transportation route is expected to begin in spring 2026.
Check back here for updates as work progresses!
Phases
Draft designs developed for Part 2 Routes
Draft designs developed for Part 2 Routes (Fourth, Merivale and Elliot streets, Wood Street, Third Avenue)