Changes being contemplated to the Woodlands Wall will help address ongoing pedestrian and cyclist safety and residents are being offered a chance to give feedback in an online session on Aug. 12.
Fraser Crossing Partners, which has received a contract from the province to build the Pattullo Bridge replacement project, has applied to the city for a heritage alteration permit so it can alter a section of the wall. It runs along the entire stretch of East Columbia Street in front of the Victoria Hill neighbourhood.
“The design for the new bridge will require changes to the intersection of East Columbia Street and McBride Boulevard, in great part to address ongoing pedestrian and cyclist safety hazards at that intersection,” said a staff report to council. “The proposed intersection improvements require removal of an 85.5-metre (280-foot) length of the Woodlands Wall.”
The proposal would include the removal of the entire 10.5-metre (34.5-feet) section that’s on McBride Boulevard and a 75-metre (246-feet) section along East Columbia Street. It’s being proposed that a partial reconstruction, using existing materials, will take place at a location north of the existing wall.
The online public information session will be held at 6 p.m. on Aug. 12.
To confirm your participation in this online public information session, email info@fcgp.ca. You will then receive a reply email with the Zoom webinar link to join the information session.
During the online public information session, FCP will provide:
- An overview of its Heritage Wall Alteration Permit Application;
- An overview of impacts to the Woodlands heritage wall and our proposal for conserving the heritage value at this location;
- An overview of the proposed modifications and safety improvements at the McBride Boulevard and East Columbia Street intersection; and
- Design plans for a revitalized plaza.
Feedback can also be shared from August 12 to 27, 2021 via an online comment form that will be available at pattullobridgereplacement.ca/newsandinfo/community-engagement/.
After the above two-week period ends, FCP will consider the feedback received in developing its final Heritage Alteration Permit Application to the City of New Westminster. FCP also plans to submit a report summarizing the feedback received and the revised application to the City for a final decision during a September Council meeting. Following Council’s consideration of the application, permits will be developed and issued (based on Council approval).
For more information on the Project, visit pattullobridgereplacement.ca.
