Hey Buzzer Readers!

As you know, we’re holding an Open House tomorrow at New Westminster Station to share details about the upgrades which are expected to start later this winter. Some of you have asked questions about the project, so we wanted to share some info here on the blog in case you can’t make it out tomorrow.

What’s happening at New Westminster Station?

TransLink is upgrading several existing stations and exchanges along the Expo Line in order to accommodate increasing passenger volumes, meet accessibility commitments and improve the customer experience. Commercial-Broadway, Joyce-Collingwood, Main Street-Science World (over 80 per cent complete), Metrotown, New Westminster, Scott Road (completed) and Surrey Central have all been identified as priorities for upgrades.

New Westminster Station is integrated into the mixed-use development beside and around the station. As the neighbourhood around the station continues to grow and develop, the station requires updates to better meet the needs of SkyTrain customers.

The project includes:

• upgrades to existing escalators and stairs to increase capacity and improve accessibility
• replacement of the original south elevator
• improved station design with better lighting and visibility for a safer and improved customer experience

When is construction?

Construction at New Westminster Station is scheduled to begin in early 2015 and is expected to be complete in 2016.

Will the station be closed during construction? Will there be any major changes to SkyTrain service? 

The station will remain open during construction and SkyTrain service is expected to remain normal during peak periods.

However, access into the station will be restricted at certain times and passengers may find their travels plans disrupted while essential work is being done. There are also plans to single track trains outside of peak periods, creating longer wait times for SkyTrain. Service disruptions will not coincide with special events.

Will construction work require any road closures? 

There may be minor impacts to traffic during construction. Any road or sidewalk detours will be communicated well in advance.

Will there be construction work at night? 

Nighttime work with varying levels of noise is required while trains are not operating. It is necessary to perform this work at night to ensure the safety of SkyTrain passengers and contractors. TransLink’s contractor will make significant efforts to minimize the impact of this construction on the public. Notification of construction work at night will be provided to directly impacted citizens well in advance of the night construction beginning.

Allowing construction work at night also helps ensure the project progresses as scheduled while avoiding a full station shut down – something we want to avoid.

Find out more!

For more information about the project and to share feedback, visit translink.ca/newwestminster; feedback will be accepted until February 11.

Or better yet, visit us tomorrow from 2:30 to 6:30 at New Westminster Station, on the ticket vending level between CIBC and Tim Hortons and ask your questions in person! 

Author: Jennifer Morland