The long-awaited proposal to connect the Quayside and Queensborough communities is closer to becoming a reality.
The City of New Westminster will be consulting with the public about two low-level crossing options for a pedestrian and cyclist connection between the two neighbourhoods. Council has directed staff to begin a community consultation process, conduct additional research and include the options as part of the city's grant selection process.
Mayor Wayne Wright noted a connection between the two neighbourhoods is something the city has been working on for a long time.
Coun. Jonathan Cote said the connection is important for both communities, from both a recreational and transportation perspective. He said he's pleased to see a low structure that will have minimal to no impact on neighbourhoods on either side of the proposed crossing.
A June 17 staff report states that Southern Railway of B.C. approached the city in late 2012 about the possibility of the city building a low-level crossing in and around its existing rail bridge, as it would be amenable to adopting its operation procedures to facilitate a pedestrian and cyclist crossing. Two options were developed that include a raised causeway from the boardwalks on each side of the river leading to a movable centre span.
In one of the options being considered, the crossing would be connected to the existing rail swing bridge; in the other it would be a separate "bascule bridge" or a drawbridge.
"Both of these options have the potential to provide an accessible, low-level route with high availability and low community impact," said the report. "The designs have no impact on existing boardwalks and park space and are designed to be fully accessible and facilitate safe, two-way access for both pedestrians and cyclists as well as light service vehicles. In the detailed design phase, the potential for facilitating ambulance access will also be studied."
Mark Allison, a senior planner with the city, said the city is also looking at building a pleasant waiting area where cyclists and pedestrians could wait, if the crossing is open because vessels are moving through the Fraser River and the bridge is open.
According to the report, the cost of building a connected bridge is estimated to be about $5 million and the cost of the bascule bride is about $9.5 million.
Several years ago, the City of New Westminster negotiated gaming funding known as development assistance compensation. The development assistance compensation agreement provided $5 million for parkland improvements in Queensborough, $35 million for a multi-use civic facility in the downtown, $6.2 million for expansion of facility at Queensborough Community Centre, $4 million for riverfront dock and facility improvements and $10 million for a Queensborough/water-front pedestrian bridge.
Last spring, city council agreed to reallocate $8 million from the pedestrian crossing and dock improvement projects to the Anvil Centre project, but didn't specify the amount coming out of either project. The June 17 staff report stated dock repairs in front of Fraser River Discovery Centre have been dropped, which means $6.2 million is now available for the crossing.
According to the staff report, the city has until 2017 to use the development assistance compensation funds on the remaining projects that have been approved. It's estimated it will take two to three years to complete the regulatory review, design and construction phases of the pedestrian crossing project.
"The city has previously studied a number of high level options in order to provide required clearance above the river and address the desire for a structure that would not be disrupted by rail or train traffic," stated the report. "Unfortunately, the high level options were much more costly than city resources could support, required users to travel longer distance and climb high heights, and were physically and visually intrusive on surrounding neighbourhoods, and therefore were no longer possible."
Some Quayside residents voiced concerns about the potential of a crossing to destroy the small park near the railway crossing.
The City of New Westminster will consult with residents in the coming months, including displays at the Quayside Boardwalk Festival and Sale and the Queensborough Community Centre opening ceremony.
The city will also post an information display at River Market and Westminster Pier Park, and make presentations to a number of community groups.
"This community consultation would proceed in parallel with the design refinements and staff's efforts to seek additional funding," said the report. "Staff anticipates providing council with an update in the fall, 2013."
At that time, staff will provide council with updated information about community input, construction costs, funding sources and other implementation details.
