Uptown Active Transportation Improvements

Project Update, June 2023: Construction of the Rotary Crosstown Greenway upgrades along Seventh Avenue between Eighth Street and Fifth Street is now planned to begin in mid-2024, immediately following Metro Vancouver’s water main work along Seventh Avenue as part of their Central Park Main No. 2 project. 

The water main replacement project will be completed prior to the greenway upgrades project to ensure that any necessary work is done before the new active transportation features are installed. By coordinating the two projects, we can minimize disruptions. 

We understand the importance of this project to the community, and we are committed to ensuring the construction process is as smooth and efficient as possible. We will provide regular updates on the project’s progress, and we encourage you to stay informed by checking our Projects on the Go page and social media channels. For ongoing updates regarding Metro Vancouver’s project, visit their Construction Projects page.

Project Update – August 2022: Construction of the New Westminster Secondary School Cycling Connector along Sixth Street will begin the week of August 22, 2022. Construction is expected to be completed in October 2022. For ongoing construction updates, visit the Projects on the Go page on the City's main website.

The new NWSS Cycling Connector design is based on what the City heard from the community and neighbourhood users through two rounds of public engagement. Protected on-street bicycle lanes will be installed on Sixth Street, as well as street enhancements such as a new crosswalk at Hamilton, intersection improvements, and new “floating” bus stops that provide safe waiting areas for transit users that work in conjunction with the new bicycle lanes. The NWSS Cycling Connector will run along Sixth Street from Seventh Avenue to the southeast corner of New Westminster Secondary School.

Based on the preferences and priorities we heard from the public, the final design includes:

• A revised bus stop design to retain street trees at the gas station
• A raised bicycle lane at the northeast corner of Sixth Street and Eighth Avenue to provide more space for refuge

Meanwhile, construction of the Rotary Crosstown Greenway upgrades along Seventh Avenue between Eighth Street and Fifth Street has now been postponed until next year (2023). This is to coordinate with the planned water main work by Metro Vancouver along Seventh Avenue next year. Our goal is to minimize the overall impacts from both construction projects. Again, more details will be shared as they are available.

Project Update: April 21, 2022 - Round 2 Engagement Reports

The What We Heard Public Engagement Summary Report for the second round of engagement is now available. From February 3-22, 2022, we heard from more than 300 participants across a variety of engagement activities: a survey, a pop-up, stakeholder meetings, and school-based engagement. Check out the report to learn about participants' level of support for the recommended designs for upgrades to the Rotary Crosstown Greenway on Seventh Avenue, and the new active transportation connector to New Westminster Secondary School. We also heard about how well the designs achieve goals such as safety, what participants like about the recommended designs, suggestions for improvement, and more.

A shorter, visual summary is also available here. All participants’ verbatim comments are also available. Find the reports in the Documents section on the right of this page (scroll down on mobile).

Project Update: February 3, 2022 - Round 2 Engagement on Recommended Designs

During the first round of public and stakeholder engagement last fall, we heard your priorities and preferences for upgrades to the Rotary Crosstown Greenway, and a new cycling connection to New Westminster Secondary School (NWSS). The project team has developed the recommended designs using what was heard from public and stakeholder engagement in the fall of 2021, along with a comprehensive technical analysis.

Input from round two of engagement will be used to help the project team further refine the designs as the team works toward construction in the summer and fall of 2022. Ultimately, your feedback will help contribute to reimagining some streets to make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to cycle, wheel, or walk comfortably and safely in Uptown.

To learn more about some of the key design features CLICK HERE for a visual summary of the recommended design for the NWSS Cycling Corridor and CLICK HERE for a visual summary of the recommended design for the RCG Upgrades.

The video below is a presentation by the project team on the recommended designs for the Rotary Crosstown Greenway upgrades and New Westminster Secondary School Cycling Connector.

Project Update: November 15, 2021 - Round 1 Engagement Reports

The What We Heard Public Engagement Summary Report is now available. Check out the report for what participants chose as their preferred design options for the Rotary Crosstown Greenway Improvements and preferred routing options for the NWSS Cycling Connector, as well as key priorities for each corridor, as heard from the public and stakeholder groups. A shorter, visual summary is also available here.

The full survey report as well as all participants’ verbatim comments are also available. Find the reports in the Documents section on the right of this page (scroll down on mobile).

The City of New Westminster is launching the design process for the Uptown Active Transportation Improvements. This includes two exciting projects that together will reimagine some of our streets to enable people of all ages and abilities to move comfortably and safely on foot, bicycle, and other non-motorized wheels in Uptown.

1. The Rotary Crosstown Greenway (RCG) Upgrades will improve safety, comfort, and accessibility on the section of the existing Rotary Crosstown Greenway along Seventh Avenue, between Eighth Street and Fifth Street. These upgrades will replace the interim bike lanes installed on Seventh Avenue in 2017.
2. The new New Westminster Secondary School (NWSS) Cycling Connector project will link the Rotary Crosstown Greenway on Seventh Avenue to the east entrance of the new school on Sixth Street, enabling students, staff and visitors to conveniently and safely cycle, wheel or walk to the school from the east and south.

Both projects take direction from the vision set in the City of New Westminster’s Council-approved Uptown Streetscape Vision, to create “a vibrant commercial district with a distinct identity, accessible and sustainable transportation, and inviting and engaging public spaces that are welcoming to all people." Related to this project, engagement on the Uptown Sixth Street Public Realm Improvements will launch later this fall.

These projects align with the City’s Master Transportation Plan goals and 7 Bold Steps for Climate Action - specifically, Car-light Community and Quality People-Centred Public Realm.

Another key goal of this project is to provide a crosstown greenway and connection to NWSS that is safer and more comfortable for people of all ages and abilities, improves the cycling and walking experiences, as well as improves accessibility.

Additional goals include enhancing the public realm and tree canopy, seeking opportunities for green infrastructure, and reducing the impacts of motor vehicles and through traffic in this neighbourhood, while limiting the impacts to people who rely on on-street parking.

To learn more about the Rotary Crosstown Greenway Upgrades and the New Westminster Secondary School Cycling Connector, watch the project video below: