A pedestrian crossing between Queensborough and the Quay would be a "game changer" but wouldn't close the door on a future ferry service between the neighbourhoods.
The City of New Westminster has announced it will consult with the public about two low-level crossing options for a pedestrian and cyclist connection been the Quayside and Queensborough neighbourhoods.
"It would be a game changer," said David Roppel, director of planning and development for Aragon Properties. "It will make Port Royal and Queensborough easier accessible for bicycling and walking to the Quay and New Westminster, and vice versa."
Roppel said the crossing is a "brilliant idea" as it will provide a "fantastic" pedestrian and cycling connection. Port Royal residents can look across the water and see the Quay, but they currently have no way to get there other than via the Queensborough Bridge.
Gavin Palmer, past president of the Queensborough Residents' Association, said the crossing would be great for Port Royal residents wanting to shop in downtown New Westminster, but it may be too far of a walk for residents of other areas of Queensborough.
"I see that as being a great thing for bicycles. They could have a nice run across the water," he said. "There's also talk of a ferry. I see that as being a viable thing. I don't know if that would get a lot of use."
The Aragon Group built a ferry dock at Port Royal six or seven years ago, Roppel said, and is available if someone offers a ferry service to the area.
City administrator Lisa Spitale said ferry services need a certain level of visitation to make them feasible. She's unsure whether the neighbourhoods have the "critical mass" needed to make a ferry service work.
Although a ferry service isn't something that would be funded by the casino funds, Spitale thinks it's something that residents and visitors would enjoy.
"I think it adds to the marine ambiance," she said. "Quite frankly, the waterfront has always wanted to see a certain level of marine activity. We still have a wish list of looking at pocket cruise ships and a marina. All of that continues to add animation and enlivens the waterfront experience. I think we need to keep working at ways to do that."
A June 17 report to city council 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 willing to adapt 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; a crossing that is connected to the existing rail swing bridge; and a separate "bascule bridge" or a drawbridge. Both provide an accessible, low-level route for pedestrians and cyclists.
According to the city's report, the cost of building a connected bridge is estimated to be about $5 million and the cost of the bascule bridge is about $9.5 million. The city currently has $6.2 million in gaming funds available for the crossing and has until 2017 to use that money to build a crossing.
The city will be consulting with the public about the proposal in the coming months and providing information displays at a number of community events.
