New Westminster city council wants to ensure it has an opportunity to offer input into TransLink's transportation plans for the region.
TransLink is currently updating its regional transportation strategy. A city staff report stated that it's expected an interim strategy containing "near-term policies and procedures" will be complete this year and a final strategy with implementation details will be completed next year.
Coun. Jaimie McEvoy said he'd like TransLink to have a serious discussion about how regional transportation planning will be done in the future.
He said it doesn't make sense that transportation planning is "divorced" from regional planning, noting that Coquitlam's proposal to build a new two-lane Bailey Bridge in the Braid industrial area doesn't take into consideration New Westminster's community plan or neighbourhood issues.
Mayor Wayne Wright agreed that many people don't clearly understand how the Bailey Bridge impacts the city's industrial site and local neighbourhoods.
According to the staff report, New Westminster's transportation policies seek to reduce the impacts of through traffic on community livability, particularly commuter and truck traffic.
Noting that the city is currently working on its own master transportation plan, Coun. Jonathan Cote questioned how that would fit with TransLink's regional transportation strategy.
Jerry Behl, a transportation engineer with the City of New Westminster, said the city is working on its transportation goals, particularly for sustainable transportation. He said the city will work to ensure these goals are included in proposals contained in TransLink's strategy.
Coun. Bill Harper questioned whether TransLink's regional transportation strategy would consist of global principles or would be more detailed.
If it includes details on specific transportation initiatives, he said the city would want to have input into issues such as the Pattullo Bridge, a truck route on Front Street and other issues.
Given that an implementation framework has been proposed, Behl said it's anticipated that projects and financing will be included in the strategy.
If that's the case, Harper said the City of New Westminster needs to have a report that addresses the city's positions on issues in TransLink's master transportation plan.
Jim Lowrie, the city's director of engineering, said TransLink's current strategic plan was developed in 2008. He said the plan is required to be reviewed every five years, and must demonstrate that it's compatible with the regional growth strategy, which has changed since the 2008 transportation plan was developed.
A staff report said TransLink's regional transportation strategy will have "significant implications" for the city. To help ensure the strategy is aligned and supportive of regional growth strategy and local plans, the mayor will have input through Metro Vancouver's transportation committee and two city staff are members of the partner advisory committee.
"All New Westminster residents and community stakeholders will have an opportunity to help shape the strategy's development later this year, when public consultation begins," said the report.
