Work on rehabilitating the eastern portion of the Front Street Parkade is now underway.
Along with rehabilitating the eastern side of the parkade, the city has also contracted Deramore Construction Services Ltd. to deconstruct the western portion of the structure. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the city expects the work to be done in 10 months.
As of Monday, May 25, the eastern portion of the parkade will be off limits for all vehicles, so motorists will need to park on the western part of the parkade. Motorists can now access the parkade via the Sixth Street entrance and the McKenzie Street exit.
Once the rehabilitation work is complete, the contractor will get to work deconstructing the western part of the parkade.
“I am glad to see that work is now beginning on what has been a long-discussed endeavour by the City of New Westminster,” said Mayor Jonathan Cote. “Our vision to improve access and connectivity to the waterfront, esplanade and Westminster Pier Park, along with delivering enhancements to create an overall improved experience in the area is now finally being realized. The work on the Front Street Parkade is an important first step in achieving this goal.”
According to the city, pedestrian access to the Fourth Street overpass will be maintained throughout the duration of the project. Front Street businesses will remain open, but Front Street and the existing frontage road (the portion of the roadway located near the businesses) will be closed to traffic in the latter stages of the project when the western portion of the parkade is deconstructed.
“The City of New Westminster recently endorsed a Good Neighbour Protocol, which outlines policies and best practices for minimizing disruptions to surrounding businesses and residents during city-led construction projects,” said Blair Fryer, the city’s communications and economic development manager. “This project will see the implementation of this protocol and we will continue to work in partnership with the downtown Business Improvement Association to ensure that businesses, residents and other community stakeholders are well informed of project timelines and potential impacts.”
While the city has been moving toward removal of the western portion of the parkade for the past few years, a group of citizens has been urging council to delay deconstruction and consider alternative uses for the structure.
