Plans are afoot to make improvements for pedestrians and cyclists in New Westminster.
Flashing beacons, improved lighting, pedestrian-activated traffic signals and curb extensions are being implemented at a number of pedestrian crossings this year. After assessing various crossings, the city has decided to proceed with work at these locations this year: Sixth Avenue and Ninth Street; Seventh and Belmont streets; Sixth and Blackford streets; Sixth Avenue and 14th Street; Richmond and Miner streets; Eighth Street and Third Avenue; Sixth Avenue at the New Westminster Public Library; and Eighth Avenue and Fourth Street.
“The 2017 pedestrian crossing improvement program budget is $250,000,” stated a staff report. “Funding from the ICBC Road Safety Improvement Program will be sought to offset up to half of the total cost to implement the program. Following design work, cost estimation and confirmation of funding from ICBC staff may need to adjust the projects for construction in 2017.”
Two of the locations assessed for improvements - Sixth Avenue and 11th Street and Royal Avenue at 11th Street - are set for improvements in 2018.
Mayor Jonathan Cote said the task force on transportation has focused on looking at how the city can start implementing some of the items in the master transportation plan so it doesn’t just gather dust at city hall.
“It’s piecing together, probably smaller and less glamourous parts of the master transportation plan,” he said. “When you start to combine all these smaller projects, whether it’s a curb cut or a safety improvement at a pedestrian intersection, it’s creating that larger walkable community that we are trying to build.
