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 and Seventh Avenue West 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.

IMPROVING BOYD STREET FOR PEOPLE WALKING, WHEELING, AND CYCLING

In June 2024, the City sought feedback on the preliminary designs and proposed improvements for the Boyd Street and Seventh Avenue West corridors. Many participants felt the proposed changes would improve safety along the corridor. The design has been updated to maintain some parking on the south side of Boyd Street, with improved signage and paint markings.

Learn more about what we heard at: beheardnewwest.ca/boyd-street

WHAT’S HAPPENING

To better support walking, wheeling, and cycling in the Queensborough neighbourhood, the City of New Westminster is making changes to Boyd Street between the Queensborough Bridge and Boundary Road. This project received generous financial support from the Province of British Columbia and TransLink.

The planned upgrades (displayed in Figure 1) are as follows:

• Multi-use path: A new section of multi-use path (3-4 m wide) will be added on the north side of Boyd Street, between the Queensborough Bridge and Howes Street, in order to close a gap in the walking and cycling network and link the bridge to Boundary Road. To accommodate the multi-use pathway, approximately 15 car lengths of one westbound vehicular lane on Boyd Street, between the easternmost Queensborough Landing driveways, will be removed. (Note that some parking will be maintained on the south side, identified with improved signage and markings.)
• Intersection safety: The slip lanes for right-turning vehicles on the north side of the Boyd Street and Howes Street intersection will be removed in order to slow turning vehicles and reduce the crossing distance for people walking, wheeling, and cycling. Right turns will be controlled with the existing traffic signal.
• Additional upgrades: New lighting, signage, and paint will be added from Howes Street to Boundary Road.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Construction is anticipated to begin in August 2025. A detailed construction letter regarding dates and traffic impacts will be sent in advance to residents and businesses in the area.

CONTACT

If you have any immediate questions or concerns, please contact Lacey Hirtle, Transportation Engineer, at .