The City of New Westminster is seeking feedback about the new Agnes Greenway.
The city is holding a virtual open house on Monday, March 8 to get input on the temporary design of the greenway. Sessions are being held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and 6 to 7:30 p.m.
In addition to the open house, residents can also provide feedback via a survey at www.beheardnewwest.ca. To register for the open house, go to eventbrite.ca and search for Agnes Greenway project virtual open house.
As part of the city’s efforts to support walking and cycling, it has created a new 1.2-kilometre greenway along Agnes Street. It will include a two-way protected bicycle lane for cyclists, improved sidewalks for pedestrians, and new landscaping, trees and street furniture, such as benches.
The city is considering public input about the temporary design elements, before a permanent design takes place in the summer.
The greenway is part of the city’s commitment to sustainable transportation and climate emergency response. It was listed as a priority in city council’s 2019 to 2022 strategic plan and in the 2020 Downtown Transportation Plan.
While some residents have expressed support for the greenway, saying it provides a safer and more comfortable route through the downtown, others have voiced concerns about some aspects of the project, including the rerouting of buses and increased traffic on neighbouring streets. (Agnes Street has been converted to one-way, westbound traffic between Merivale and Sixth streets.)
Lisa Leblanc, the city’s transportation manager, recently told council that engagement about the Agnes Greenway is ongoing.
“Rather than having people look at a design on paper, we are using an approach whereby they experience it in real life and we work to resolve the issues as they arise,” she told council on Feb. 1. “Having said that, it is a big change. We knew that a change like this would result in a change in how people get around, how they access their parked motor vehicles on the street, how they access taxis. It’s definitely our intention to work, particularly, with seniors and people with disabilities who are disproportionately impacted.”
Follow Theresa McManus on Twitter @TheresaMcManus
Email tmcmanus@newwestrecord.ca
