The elevator into Westminster Pier Park has hit another snag in its bid to provide improved access to the waterfront.
The City of New Westminster included an elevator in the Fourth Street overpass, which provides access to the park near the Front Street parkade. While pedestrians have been able to enter the park via stairs since last March, the elevator has had its share of ups and downs and has yet to open.
Jim Lowrie, the city’s director of engineering, told council Monday that the B.C. Safety Authority was scheduled to inspect the elevator this week, and if the inspection went well the elevator could be operating by mid-week.
Lowrie said there are still a few minor deficiencies that the contractor needs to address and the city is working towards completing these in the next day or so.
“A BCSA safety officer performed an installation inspection on the elevating unit yesterday and found some outstanding concerns,” Quinn Newcomb, director of stakeholder engagement and communications, said in a March 3 email to the Record. “BCSA is working closely with the City of New Westminster, as well as the elevating device contractor and engineering firm, to ensure that all safety requirements are satisfied prior to issuing an operating permit for public use.”
Last October, city staff told the Record the elevator’s opening has been held up by delays in parts coming in on time, coordination issues between the parties involved in the project and changes made to the size and design of the elevator.
