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. Construction is beginning at the station. Read on for important details about the project and what you can expect!

What’s happening?

The upgrades, which are expected to be complete by summer 2016, will improve accessibility, capacity, safety and security at the station. The project includes:

• Replacement elevator and escalators to improve access for customers.
• Improved lighting and signage throughout the station.
• Glass panels that replace the existing mesh screens to improve station visibility from street level.
• Better integration with the surrounding community to make it easier to connect to and from the SkyTrain system.

What can I expect?

Our top priority is the safety of the public, passengers, employees, and contractors. Due to the nature of construction activity, we recognize there will be impacts to the public, including noise and changes to station access.

Below is a summary of the key project phases and expected impacts. For ongoing information about construction impacts associated with the project, visit www.translink.ca/ontrack. Please note that timelines are subject to change based on construction activity.

Phase 1: East and West station access – spring 2015-summer 2015

Construction crews will focus on replacing the east escalator and upgrading the stairs, at the Eighth Street entrance, and the west escalator and stairs by the bus loop. Painting and the installation of new window glazing will also begin at platform level, and the emergency exits at the north and south sides of the platform will be painted.

Impacts:

• Station access from Eighth Street will be closed. Passengers will be redirected to the Carnarvon Street entrance.
• The escalator and stairs from the bus loop to the concourse level will be closed. Passengers will be redirected along McNeely Street to the Carnarvon Street entrance, or through the parkade to the existing moving walkway that provides access up to the concourse level.
• Platform widths will be reduced in some areas to allow for painting, window installation, ceiling replacement and new lighting.
• Hoarding in the concourse area to allow for new ceilings, lighting and painting.
• Noise associated with large construction projects, including nighttime work with varying levels of noise while trains are not operating, is expected to begin in several weeks. Notifications will be sent in advance of particularly noisy work.

Phase 2: Eastbound and westbound platform access – summer 2015-fall 2015

Construction crews will focus on replacing the escalators and upgrading stairs to the eastbound and westbound SkyTrain platforms from the concourse level. Replacement of the south elevator, which provides access to the eastbound platform, will also begin.

Painting and installation of new window glazing at the platform level is expected to be completed in this phase.

Impacts:

• Passengers traveling eastbound and westbound can access the platforms via the Plaza 88 escalators and stairs.
• Passengers requiring the use of an elevator to access the eastbound platform can use the Plaza 88 elevator, by the cinema from the parkade west of the bus loop at street level, or by the cinema at the concourse level.
• The north elevator to the westbound platform will be in service.
• Hoarding in the concourse area to allow for new ceilings, lighting and painting.
• Neighbours can expect noise associated with large construction projects, including nighttime work with varying levels of noise while trains are not operating. Notifications will be sent in advance of particularly noisy work.

Phase 3: Concourse area upgrades – fall 2015-summer 2016

Construction crews will complete the replacement of the south elevator and begin upgrades to the concourse area.

Impacts:

• Hoarding in the concourse area to allow for new ceilings, lighting and painting.
• Neighbours can expect noise associated with large construction projects, including nighttime work with varying levels of noise while trains are not operating. Notifications will be sent in advance of particularly noisy work.

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Thanks for your patience as we complete these much-needed upgrades to New Westminster Station! For more information, including FAQs and information boards, visit www.translink.ca/newwestminster.

Author: Jennifer Morland