A new section of a road will soon on New Westminster’s waterfront – and a new crossing into the Quayside neighbourhood is set to open later this year.
Anyone who has tried to access the waterfront via Begbie Street in recent weeks will have noticed some changes to the traffic flow in the area around Begbie and Front streets. Bosa Development, which is building the Pier West project at 660 Quayside Dr., is currently doing works related to the construction of a new pedestrian and bicycle railway crossing on the east side of Begbie Street.
“We will also be opening up the new road configuration for Quayside Drive,” added a notice circulated to area residents. "The new road will extend Begbie Street south to the waterfront and curve around the Fraser River Discovery Centre before coming back up to join Quayside Drive near River Market.”
In a statement to the Record, Bosa Development said the work that’s currently taking place on Begbie Street, between Columbia Street and Quayside Drive, is for an additional multi-use crossing on the east side of the railway tracks. Bosa said it is constructing the initial part of the crossing and the railways will complete the remainder later this year.
“The new crossing will provide an additional way for people to access the riverfront area by foot, bicycle or wheelchair, and will line up with the new configuration of Begbie Street and Quayside Drive that Bosa is building as part of the Pier West development,” said the statement.
According to Bosa Development, a multi-use path is being built alongside the new road and it will connect with the riverfront boardwalk. Bosa said the new road will extend towards the water and go around the new four-storey commercial building before coming back up to join with Quayside Drive.
Here’s the timelines for these works, according to a statement from Bosa:
- The new road is expected to be open by the end of March.
- The new multi-use crossing and pathway will be open later this year.
Work on Begbie Street began in February and is expected to be completed next month. While work has been taking place, Begbie Street has been southbound-only (towards the water) between Columbia and Front Street.
“Bosa Development's work on Begbie Street is expected to be complete by the end of April, with the traffic pattern shifting to single-lane alternating over the coming weeks,” said the company’ statement to the Record. “Where possible, they will aim to have Begbie Street opened in both directions during the evenings and on weekends.
Pier West is being built on the waterfront site that’s situated between Westminster Pier Park (to the east) and Fraser River Discovery Centre and River Market (to the west).
Mayor Patrick Johnstone said a new level crossing for cars, cycles and pedestrians, which meets the railway safety requirements, is part of the Pier West plan and is required in order to maintain whistle cessation at this location. He said the works being done will result in improved sightlines and safety for all road users at the rail crossing.
Johnstone said the new configuration of Quayside Drive will circle around the commercial building that includes space for a child care.
“The new configuration will be safer for all road users, and also provide better separation between pedestrians, cyclist and cars, improving access to the riverfront for all,” he said.
Johnstone said the city has been working with Bosa to limit impacts from the project and has been engaging with River Market and other stakeholders to best manage disruptions.
“This is a sign that (Pier West) construction is nearing completion, and that we are nearer to the day we have all been looking forward to – when we can restore the riverfront connection from the Quayside boardwalk to Pier Park and the two-acre expansion of Pier Park,” he said.
Pier West will include 43- and 53-storey residential towers and a lowrise commercial building. The project also includes: a 40-space child care facility in the commercial building; two acres of park and public open space, including an extension to Westminster Pier Park; a public plaza and esplanade space; 80 public parking stalls; 932 parking stalls for the development; and new pedestrian connections between Westminster Pier Park, Fraser River Discovery Centre and River Market.
