Background
In late January 2026, through a community report, the City confirmed the formation of a large tension crack along a portion of the Brunette-Fraser Greenway trail between Hume Park and Braid Station. Out of caution for public safety, the City closed this section of the trail to conduct a thorough engineering review.
A detailed site assessment involving specialized subsurface drilling (boreholes) and installing temporary wells was undertaken to carefully monitor ground and water conditions under the path. While this vital investigation was underway, the slope naturally deteriorated further. Prolonged weather and environmental factors caused a slope failure below the trail, which sloughed away roughly half of the active trail walking and cycling surface.
Because the physical path has been significantly compromised, this section of the trail must remain closed to all visitors and commuters until a permanent, safe solution is constructed.
Image of the trail failure taken on May 20, 2026.
ALTERNATE ROUTE
Please use the alternate route along Braid Street, Wilson Street, and Hume Park. See map below.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is there a detour route available?
Yes. A designated detour route is fully active to bypass the closed section of the greenway. Clear directional signage will be posted along the route to guide pedestrians and cyclists smoothly around the closure. Please refer to the detour map above.
When will the greenway fully reopen?
An exact reopening date is currently unknown. Rebuilding the slope requires major engineering design and construction work, which cannot begin until the underlying drainage issues from the neighbouring private property are corrected.
Why can't the City just patch the visible cracks and reopen the current path?
The cracks visible on the gravel surface are indicators of deeper structural movement within the hillside soil. Geotechnical testing confirms that the ground supporting the path does not have the underlying stability required to safely hold the weight of pedestrians, maintenance vehicles, or cyclists. Reopening the path without structural stabilization would pose a severe public safety hazard.
How will this project affect the nearby Brunette River environment?
The Brunette River is a highly sensitive and protected regional ecological feature. Any interim or permanent repair work must be carefully integrated to minimize impacts on the surrounding riparian zone and fish habitats. The City and our consultants will be working closely with environmental advisors to ensure all work meets strict provincial and federal regulatory guidelines.
The City of New Westminster sincerely acknowledges the significant impact this closure has on daily trail users, cycling commuters, and park visitors. Reopening this section of the Brunette Greenway is a top priority for our engineering team, and we thank you for your ongoing patience as we work to deliver a safe, reliable trail link.
CONTACT
For more information, please contact :
- Erika Pollmuller, AScT, Senior Engineering Technologist
- Jonathan Marcone, Superintendant, Parks & Open Space Maintenance
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