Contact Us
Online
Services

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve compiled responses to common questions we hear from the community about the 22nd St Vision Area. We will continue to update this list as new questions arise.

 

HOW WILL REGIONAL POPULATION GROWTH IMPACT TRAFFIC AROUND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD?

New Westminster is centrally located between the Cities of Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Delta and Coquitlam. As the region grows, travel demand will likely continue to increase across municipal boundaries.

The City cannot control regional growth or traffic coming from other municipalities. However, we:

  • Invest in walking, cycling, and transit improvements and connections to reduce reliance on private vehicles and advocate for senior government infrastructure investment;
  • Communicate with neighbouring cities and regional authorities on land use and transportation plans;
  • Plan local street improvements that prioritize safety, accessibility and reliability; and
  • Plan the road network to maintain emergency vehicle and service vehicle access.

Traffic will continue to be part of life in a growing region. Our focus is on moving people safely and efficiently, whether they are walking, rolling, cycling, taking transit, or driving.

wHAT WILL THE CITY DO ABOUT CONGESTION ON THE QUEENSBOROUGH BRIDGE?

The Queensborough Bridge is owned and operated by the Province through the Ministry of Transportation and Transit. It is a key regional connection and serves City of New Westminster residents as well as traffic beyond New Westminster.

While the City does not own or control the bridge, we:

  • Work with the Province and TransLink to advocate for improvements;
  • Advance local strategies, including the 2024 Queensborough Transportation Plan, to address safety, mobility, and goods movement; and
  • Support initiatives that increase the number of people moved across the bridge per hour, for examples through transit, walking, and cycling.

Congestion on the Queensborough Bridge, and other regional bridges, is influenced by growth across Metro Vancouver. The City will continue to advocate for safe, sustainable, and accessible movement of people and goods.

WILL 22nd STREET STATION BE UPGRADED FOR ACCESSIBILITY?

22nd Street SkyTrain Station is owned and operated by TransLink.

The station was included in TransLink’s Expo Line Elevator Replacement Program.  As of December 2025, two elevators have been upgraded at the station, replacing 40-year-old infrastructure with modern and accessible equipment.

While the City does not control station infrastructure or amenities, we:

  • Advocate to TransLink for accessibility improvements; and
  • Are planning surrounding streets, sidewalks, and public spaces with accessibility in mind to make it safer and easier to get to and from the station.

Accessibility is a shared responsibility. The City is and will continue to advocate to TransLink to improve the station experience for people of all ages and abilities.

WHY IS THE CITY PLANNING FOR MORE HOUSING AROUND THE STATION?

The Province requires cities to enable growth around major transit stations, called Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Areas, including 22nd St SkyTrain Station.

Focusing growth near the SkyTrain helps manage traffic over time. When homes are close to transit, shops, services, and jobs, more people can walk, bike, or take transit instead of driving. The 22nd Street Vision establishes a framework for moving towards a more complete neighbourhood where residents can meet their daily needs close to home. Integrating housing, land use and transportation planning creates an urban environment that works more efficiently for users of all modes.