Last updated: May 28, 2026
Background
Active Transportation network Plan (ATNP)
In October 2022, Council approved the Active Transportation Network Plan, initiating 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.
This network will be user-friendly for people of all ages and abilities and make walking and biking in New Westminster safer, more accessible, and more convenient. It’s an exciting step to building a more accessible, equitable, and sustainable city!
What's happening
To better support walking, wheeling, and cycling along Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Streets, the City of New Westminster is making changes to Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Streets between Columbia Street and London Street. This project received generous financial support from TransLink.
The City held public engagement during May-June 2025 and adjusted designs based on feedback. The What We Heard Report is available at beheardnewwest.ca/en-CA/projects/8-9-10-streets/
Anticipated construction start date: June 2026
Key Changes
Improvements along this route aim to create an active transportation connection that is comfortable for most users, lowers vehicle speeds, and separates traffic on busier sections of the route. This will allow people to move comfortably and safely on foot, bicycle, and other non-motorized transportation options.
- Traffic diversion at Tenth Street and London Street for reducing vehicle volumes and shortcutting traffic. Public engagement feedback showed support for discouraging vehicles from shortcutting through the neighbourhood. Instead of a series of alternating one-way vehicle traffic blocks, a star diverter will be installed at Tenth Street and London, which only allows right turns.
- A diagonal bicycle crossing at Eighth Avenue and Tenth Street ensuring people biking and walking have enough time to cross safely and giving pedestrians and cyclists separate phases for crossing. These changes prioritize the safety of people walking and cycling at this intersection.
- A new multi-use pathway on the east side of Tenth Street between Seventh Avenue and Eighth Avenue creating more space for cyclists and pedestrians, with minimal impact on parking. The pick-up and drop-off zone next to Lord Kelvin Community School will be maintained.
- A diagonal bicycle crossing at Royal Avenue and Eighth Street ensuring people biking and walking can cross safely. Pedestrians, cyclists, and cars will cross the intersection at different times.
- A multi-use pathway on the west side of Eighth Street from Milton Street to Royal Avenue creating a quick-build connection between Ninth Street and Royal Avenue while Simcoe Elementary is being built.
- A two-way protected bike lane on the east side of Eighth Street between Royal Avenue and Columbia Street creating a quick-build connection between Simcoe Park and Columbia Street while development on the west side of Eighth Street is under construction. The proposed cycling lane is wide in this section because Eighth Street is steep and we want to allow users going uphill and downhill at different speeds to pass safely. All parking and loading areas on the east side of Eighth Street, between Royal Avenue and Columbia Street, will be removed to make space for the quick-build, two-way protected bike lane. Following the developments on the westside, permanent, one-way bike lanes would be created on each side of the street, following the flow of traffic.
Construction Updates
Construction is anticipated to begin in June 2026. A detailed construction letter regarding dates and traffic impacts will be sent in advance to residents and businesses in the area.
Traffic Impacts can be found on the Roadworks & Construction page.
Contact
If you have any immediate questions or concerns, please contact Stacy Lee, Transportation Engineer, at .