Uptown Active Transportation Improvements
Project Update: July, 2025
Construction of the Rotary Crosstown Greenway upgrades along Seventh Avenue between Eighth Street and Fifth Street is ready to begin at the end of July 2025, following completion of Metro Vancouver’s water main pre-build work completed at the end of 2024. Work is expected to take approximately six months, weather permitting.
Construction hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, and Saturdays (if needed), 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Please visit our Projects on the Go, Roadworks page, and social media channels for further updates.
The City of New Westminster is launching the design process for the Uptown Active Transportation Improvements. This includes two exciting projects that together will reimagine some of our streets to enable people of all ages and abilities to move comfortably and safely on foot, bicycle, and other non-motorized wheels in Uptown.
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1. The Rotary Crosstown Greenway (RCG) Upgrades will improve safety, comfort, and accessibility on the section of the existing Rotary Crosstown Greenway along Seventh Avenue, between Eighth Street and Fifth Street. These upgrades will replace the interim bike lanes installed on Seventh Avenue in 2017.
2. The new New Westminster Secondary School (NWSS) Cycling Connector project will link the Rotary Crosstown Greenway on Seventh Avenue to the east entrance of the new school on Sixth Street, enabling students, staff and visitors to conveniently and safely cycle, wheel or walk to the school from the east and south.
Both projects take direction from the vision set in the City of New Westminster’s Council-approved Uptown Streetscape Vision, to create “a vibrant commercial district with a distinct identity, accessible and sustainable transportation, and inviting and engaging public spaces that are welcoming to all people." Related to this project, engagement on the Uptown Sixth Street Public Realm Improvements will launch later this fall.
These projects align with the City’s Master Transportation Plan goals and 7 Bold Steps for Climate Action - specifically, Car-light Community and Quality People-Centred Public Realm.
Another key goal of this project is to provide a crosstown greenway and connection to NWSS that is safer and more comfortable for people of all ages and abilities, improves the cycling and walking experiences, as well as improves accessibility.
Additional goals include enhancing the public realm and tree canopy, seeking opportunities for green infrastructure, and reducing the impacts of motor vehicles and through traffic in this neighbourhood, while limiting the impacts to people who rely on on-street parking.
To learn more about the Rotary Crosstown Greenway Upgrades and the New Westminster Secondary School Cycling Connector, watch the project video below:
Phases
Round 2 Engagement
Round 2 Engagement has now concluded. City staff engaged with community members through social media, focus groups with stakeholders, newsletter, and online and in-person engagements.
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Project Update: February 3, 2022 - Round 2 Engagement on Recommended Designs
During the first round of public and stakeholder engagement last fall, we heard your priorities and preferences for upgrades to the Rotary Crosstown Greenway, and a new cycling connection to New Westminster Secondary School (NWSS). The project team has developed the recommended designs using what was heard from public and stakeholder engagement in the fall of 2021, along with a comprehensive technical analysis.
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Input from round two of engagement will be used to help the project team further refine the designs as the team works toward construction in the summer and fall of 2022. Ultimately, your feedback will help contribute to reimagining some streets to make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to cycle, wheel, or walk comfortably and safely in Uptown.
Rotary Crosstown Greenway
The greenway upgrades project is designed to improve safety, comfort, and accessibility on the section of the existing Rotary Crosstown Greenway along Seventh Avenue between Eighth Street and Fifth Street. These upgrades will replace the interim bike lanes installed on Seventh Avenue in 2017.
The recommended design is based on option 2 from the first round of engagement, which involves providing one-way protected bicycle lanes on each side of the street that are physically separated from vehicle traffic. The recommended design includes the following key design features:
A. A reconstructed sidewalk along the south side of Seventh Avenue to improve walking and accessibility
B. Wider and realigned protected bicycle lanes with physical protection from vehicles that avoid the jogs in the current bicycle lanes due to the existing utility poles
C. Safety improvements at driveways along the corridor, including green conflict zone markings, continuous raised sidewalk and bicycle lane across driveways on the south side of Seventh Avenue, and curb extensions on the south side to improve visibility
D. Landscaping and seating at several locations on this section of the greenway
E. Intersection improvements on Seventh Avenue at Fifth Street, Sixth Street and Eighth
F. On-street parking maintained along the south side of Seventh Avenue (parking removed on north side)
G. Two loading zones maintained on the north side of Seventh Avenue
H. Mid-Block Crosswalk on Seventh Avenue with raised crossing to provide safe crossing opportunity
Graphic of Full Recommended Design
Graphics of Recommended Design Enlarged Section by Section
New Westminster Secondary School Cycling Connector
The New Westminster Secondary School (NWSS) Cycling Connector project will link Seventh Avenue to the east entrance of the new school on Sixth Street, enabling students, staff, and visitors to conveniently and safely cycle, wheel or walk to the school from the east and the south. The recommended design is based on a route along Sixth Street, with on-street protected bicycle lanes. This connection will be constructed primarily with lower cost, durable, and flexible materials.
Key features of the design include:
A. Protected bicycle lanes with physical protection from vehicles using low-cost, durable, and adjustable materials
B. New bus stop designs to provide a safe waiting area for transit users
C. Addition of new curb extension and crosswalk at Hamilton Street and Sixth Street
D. Intersection improvements on Sixth Street at Eighth Avenue and at Seventh Avenue
E. Removal of the bus stop on Sixth Street approximately 15 meters north of Seventh Avenue
Graphic of Full Recommended Design
Graphics of Recommended Design Enlarged Version Section by Section
