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Auckland example: The Wynard pedestrian crossing bridge in Auckland New Zealand may be what a proposed bridge linking Quayside and Queensborough could look like. The drawbridge cost $3.5 million in 2011.
Part of parkade could go BY THERESA MCMANUS REPORTER tmcmanus@royalcityrecord.com
The City of New Westminster could demolish part of the Front Street Parkade and still have enough parking to meet local needs. That’s one of the findings of the draft parking study done by Urban Systems Ltd. on behalf of the city. A consulting team has developed shortand long-term parking strategies for downtown New Westminster and has produced a 144-page report for the city’s consideration. A staff report considered by council June 17 stated that downtown households have an average of less than one vehicle per household, compared to the citywide average of 1.2 vehicles per household. The report also stated the downtown has the second highest number of residents who walk, cycle or take transit to work, second only to Vancouver in the Lower Mainland. Coun. Bill Harper said the report shows New Westminster will have adequate parking in the future, even if a portion of the parkade is demolished. He noted fewer parking spaces will be required in the future because of the proximity to transit. “When you look at other major urban centres, you are already seeing that,” he said. Coun. Jonathan Cote said the report provides some interesting dialogue and gives the city the analysis it needs to move forward with dealing with the downtown’s parking needs. He noted it includes some “preconditions” that would be required for demolition of a portion of the parkade to occur. ◗Parkade Page 5
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’Boro bridge on city’s agenda Public will be consulted on pedestrian bridge linking Quayside to Queensborough BY THERESA MCMANUS REPORTER tmcmanus@royalcityrecord.com
The long-awaited proposal to connect the Quayside and Queensborough communities is closer to becoming a reality. The City of New Westminster will be consulting with the public about two low-level crossing options for a pedestrian and cyclist connection between the two neighbourhoods. Council has directed staff to begin a community consultation process, conduct additional research and include the options as part of the city’s grant selection process. Mayor Wayne Wright noted a connection between the two neighbourhoods is something the city has been working on for a long time. Coun. Jonathan Cote said the connec-
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tion is important for both communities, from both a recreational and transportation perspective. He said he’s pleased to see a low structure that will have minimal to no impact on neighbourhoods on either side of the proposed crossing. A June 17 staff report 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 amenable to adopting 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. In one of the options being considered, the crossing would be connected to the existing rail swing bridge; in the other it would be a separate “bascule bridge” or a drawbridge. “Both of these options have the potential to provide an accessible, low-level route
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with high availability and low community impact,” said the report. “The designs have no impact on existing boardwalks and park space and are designed to be fully accessible and facilitate safe, two-way access for both pedestrians and cyclists as well as light service vehicles. In the detailed design phase, the potential for facilitating ambulance access will also be studied.” Mark Allison, a senior planner with the city, said the city is also looking at building a pleasant waiting area where cyclists and pedestrians could wait, if the crossing is open because vessels are moving through the Fraser River and the bridge is open. According to the report, the cost of building a connected bridge is estimated to be about $5 million and the cost of the bascule bride is about $9.5 million. Several years ago, the City of New Westminster negotiated gaming funding known as development assistance compensation. The development assistance ◗Bridge Page 3
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