Project Overview
To better support walking, wheeling, and cycling along Seventh Street, the City of New Westminster is making changes to Seventh Street between Belmont Street and Agnes Street. This project is part of the Active Transportation Network Plan (ATNP) and received generous financial support from TransLink.
We are excited to announce that the Seventh Street project has officially reached total completion. The corridor is now fully operational in its final design.
Users are our Best Inspectors
As we settle into this permanent layout, we want to ensure everything is working exactly as intended. While our teams have conducted thorough reviews, those who use the street daily often spot things we might miss.
If you notice a deficiency or something that looks "off," users are encouraged to report through our See-Click-Fix system. Your real-time feedback helps us keep the street safe and functional.
Background
Active Transportation Network Plan (ATNP)
In October 2022, New Westminster City Council approved the Active Transportation Network Plan (ATNP), setting in motion 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.
In 2023, the City began planning five routes identified in the network plan beginning with the Boyd Street, Seventh Avenue West and Seventh Street corridors. The corridors have been thoughtfully planned to ensure they are easy to use by individuals of any age or ability, and to enhance safety, accessibility, and convenience for walking and biking within New Westminster. The improvements are also aligned with the City's Master Transportation Plan and Seven Bold Steps for Climate Action.
Community Engagement
In November 2024, the City sought feedback on the preliminary designs and proposed improvements for the Seventh Street corridor. Many participants felt the proposed changes would improve safety along the corridor. Learn more at Be Heard New West.
Key Changes
- Protected two-way bike lane: A new two way bike lane will be added to the west side of Seventh Street from Belmont Street to Agnes Street
- Pedestrian Safety: The sidewalk corners will be widened with curb extensions to slow down traffic and shorten the crossing distance for pedestrians. Additionally, we are improving crosswalks and adding new crossings for cyclists.
- Traffic Changes: Seventh Street will be changed to one-way northbound traffic for vehicles between Fifth Avenue and Queens Avenue. Left turn onto 4th Avenue from Seventh Street will be restricted to reduce conflict between cyclists and vehicles.
- Additional Upgrades: New/Improved lighting, signage and pavement marking will be added through the corridor.
What's Next: Traffic Study & Assessment
With total performance achieved, the Transportation Department is now moving into the formal evaluation phase. We will be launching a comprehensive traffic study to monitor the project's performance in its completed state.
This study will analyze:
- Design Impact: Measuring how the new infrastructure has improved safety and accessibility for all road users.
- Operational Flow: Evaluating how current traffic and parking patterns compare to our initial projections.
- Future Adjustments: Identifying if any further refinements or minor adjustments are necessary based on real-world data and community feedback.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
Map
Project Contact
If you have any immediate questions or concerns, please contact Stacy Lee, Transportation Engineer, at transportation@newwestcity.ca.