$6 million overhaul complete for BC Parkway segment in New Westminster | Daily Hive

$6 million overhaul complete for segment of BC Parkway in New Westminster

New condition of the BC Parkway along Stewardson Way in New Westminster. (TransLink)

A segment of the BC Parkway — a regional pedestrian and cyclist pathway — just west of downtown New Westminster has seen the completion of a major upgrade that improves safety, comfort, and accessibility.

This is an approximate 0.75-km-long segment of the BC Parkway along Stewardson Way between River Drive and 14th Street.

It includes a widened pathway with separate paths for cyclists and pedestrians, improved nighttime lighting and street-level visibility for safety, and greater separation between the BC Parkway and vehicle traffic on Stewardson Way, along with safety upgrades at Stewardson Way’s intersections with River Drive, 5th Avenue, and 14th Street.

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The project costs about $6 million, with the City of New Westminster and TransLink funding the cost.

The Southern Railway of British Columbia also provided some railyard land to enable the BC Parkway’s widening for a stretch within this segment. At this location, the widened pathway uses a footprint that was previously a railway track.

bc parkway stewardson way new westminster upgrade

New condition of the BC Parkway along Stewardson Way in New Westminster. (TransLink)

Previous condition:

bc parkway stewardson way new westminster previous

Previous condition of the BC Parkway along Stewardson Way in New Westminster. (TransLink)

New condition:

New condition of the BC Parkway along Stewardson Way in New Westminster. (TransLink)

“The completion of the BC Parkway renovations fills an important transportation gap in our community,” said New Westminster Mayor Patrick Johnstone in a statement.

“In working together, we have transformed this vital connection, improving safety and comfort of all road users. These improvements are a testament to our shared commitment to creating a safer and more connected community for everyone.”

Within this upgraded segment, the BC Parkway is located immediately on the south side of Stewardson Way, directly below the elevated guideway of SkyTrain’s Expo Line.

Previous condition:

Previous condition of the BC Parkway along Stewardson Way in New Westminster. (TransLink)

New condition:

New condition of the BC Parkway along Stewardson Way in New Westminster. (TransLink)

The BC Parkway spans a total length of 26 km, generally following the Expo Line’s right-of-way — running directly beneath the guideway in many areas. It extends from near Commercial-Broadway Station in Vancouver, passes through Burnaby and New Westminster, and terminates at King George Station in Surrey City Centre.

“Upgrades to the BC Parkway bring long-lasting benefits to communities across Metro Vancouver,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn.

“Whether you’re cycling, rolling, walking, or running, these improvements make it easier and smoother to choose active transportation every day.”

Previous condition:

Previous condition of the BC Parkway along Stewardson Way in New Westminster. (TransLink)

New condition:

New condition of the BC Parkway along Stewardson Way in New Westminster. (TransLink)

The City of Burnaby is also in the process of planning a major upgrade of the BC Parkway within its Metrotown downtown area — a 3.3-km-long segment of the pathways between Boundary Road and Royal Oak Station. The municipal government recently completed a major lighting installation for the underside of the Expo Line’s guideway, spanning over 5 km between Patterson Station and Edmonds Station, to improve nighttime safety on the BC Parkway.

When the new replacement Pattullo Bridge opens in late 2025, it will include a vastly improved segment of the BC Parkway between New Westminster and Surrey.

Not only will the new bridge feature wider pathways for pedestrians and cyclists, but there will be safer and more seamless access points to the pathways on both ends of the bridge, including a new pedestrian and cycling overpass above the bridge approach — forming a new link for not only the BC Parkway, but also the Central Valley Greenway and New Westminster’s new Agnes Street Greenway.

New condition of the BC Parkway along Stewardson Way in New Westminster. (TransLink)

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