TransLink and the City of New Westminster are announcing major upgrades to a section of the BC Parkway. The 737-metre section of Stewardson Way, between River Drive and 14th Street, will receive significant improvements for all modes of active transportation.

“Improving the BC Parkway so that people can continue to walk, bike, and roll safely is key to creating healthier communities,” says TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn. “We are excited to work with the City of New Westminster on this project to encourage active transportation and get people out of their cars.”

The Stewardson Way upgrades will include:

• Closing a gap in the BC Parkway between 5th Avenue and 14th Street.
• Widening the existing path to feature separate lanes for cyclists and pedestrians.
• Repaving intersections along the route.
• Adding pathway lighting, new retaining walls, and new traffic signals at 5th Avenue.

“The BC Parkway is a vital transportation route for the city,” says New Westminster Mayor Patrick Johnstone. “Along with other upgrades, this addresses a long-lamented gap on the route – protecting vulnerable road users from adjacent heavy traffic on Stewardson Way while also improving the experience for cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers alike.”

This project aligns with New Westminster City Council’s 2023-2026 Strategic Priorities Plan by improving the safety and accessibility of a key transportation route. It also meets the City’s Active Transportation Network Plan objectives to improve the safety, comfort, and convenience of active transportation infrastructure. Once complete, the pathway will be more comfortable and accessible for people of all ages and abilities.

The BC Parkway Stewardson Way Upgrades project was made possible with the collaboration of Southern Railway of British Columbia by making a key section of land available for active transportation, and from the City of New Westminster, who identified Stewardson Way as an area in need of upgrades and contributed funding for the construction.

Construction begins week of February 26 and is expected to be completed later this 2024.