RSS

Agnes Greenway Brings Safer, Greener Streets to Downtown New Westminster

A people-first street redesign delivers active transportation, community amenities, and a bold step toward a more sustainable city core.

The City of New Westminster has officially completed the Agnes Greenway, a transformative 1.2-kilometre corridor designed to prioritize walking, cycling, and rolling along Agnes Street. Years in the making and shaped by extensive public input, the new greenway reflects the city’s commitment to sustainability, safety, and inclusive public space.

With new landscaping, protected bike lanes, traffic calming measures, and community amenities now in place, the Agnes Greenway is a vibrant example of how infrastructure can foster healthier, more connected urban life.


From Concept to Construction: A Decade in the Making

First imagined a decade ago in the Downtown Community Plan, the Agnes Greenway was identified as a key priority in New Westminster’s 2019–2022 Strategic Plan and Downtown Transportation Plan. By reimagining a key east-west corridor, the City aims to reduce car dependency while responding to its climate emergency declaration.

The project spans from Dufferin Street to Seventh Street, with future plans to extend the greenway east to the New Westminster SkyTrain Station and Waterfront Esplanade, creating a continuous link between Victoria Hill, the Pattullo Bridge replacement, and Surrey.

*Photo by City of New Westminster


A Street Reimagined: Design Features and Community Benefits

The newly completed greenway introduces a two-way protected cycling and rolling path, upgraded sidewalks, landscaped curb extensions, and rainwater infrastructure including a stormwater tree trench and rain garden. Notably, Blackwood Street has been permanently closed at Agnes to make way for a new dog parklet, public seating, and a water fountain.

Other community-focused features include:

  • Floating bus stop between Elliot and First Street for safer transit access

  • Speed humps along Cunningham and Dickenson for traffic calming

  • Raised intersections near École Qayqayt Elementary to slow vehicle speeds

  • Wayfinding signage, benches, and pedestrian-scale lighting

Importantly, the final configuration preserves current traffic flow while replacing temporary greenway elements—like flexible delineators—with permanent medians and curbs.


Shaped by the Community: Deep Public Engagement

The greenway’s design was guided by two robust rounds of public engagement between 2020 and 2021. The process included surveys, virtual workshops, in-person events, and interactive tools, drawing hundreds of responses from residents, property owners, students, and commuters.

Public feedback led to key refinements:

  • Enhanced accessibility for mobility devices and strollers

  • Retention of some parking and loading zones where feasible

  • Improved intersection safety and lighting

  • Increased greenery and seating areas

Overall, 57% of survey respondents supported the final vision, praising the emphasis on safety, greenery, and active transportation. Some residents raised concerns about traffic disruption, parking loss, and transit rerouting, but the city worked to address many of these in the final design.


Building for the Future: Construction and Funding

Construction began in mid-2022, led by Jack Cewe Construction Ltd, and was completed over a 24-week period. While road closures and detours were necessary, access to local homes and businesses was maintained throughout.

The project was funded with support from TransLink and the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, through a B.C. Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant.


More Than a Bike Lane: A New Vision for Agnes Street

At its heart, the Agnes Greenway is more than a transportation corridor—it’s a community space that supports health, heritage, ecology, and play. From interpretive signage to intergenerational amenities, the greenway reflects a holistic approach to placemaking.

Its seven guiding themes—Health, Heritage, Ecology, Learning, Play, Inviting, and Safe—emerged directly from community voices. The result is a dynamic, multi-use street that supports not just movement, but memory, identity, and belonging.


Curious how this new greenway might reshape Downtown New Westminster’s future? Projects like this are part of a bigger vision to create healthier, more connected communities. Want to stay in the loop on local transformations like this? We’re here to help you stay informed.

Read

Upgrades Coming to Uptown: Rotary Crosstown Greenway Gets a Boost Between Fifth and Eighth Streets

A major transformation is on the horizon for New Westminster's Uptown neighbourhood, as the City moves forward with the next phase of its Rotary Crosstown Greenway improvements. Slated to begin construction in mid-2024, the project focuses on a key corridor—Seventh Avenue between Fifth Street and Eighth Street—aiming to make it safer, greener, and more welcoming for everyone, from school kids on bikes to seniors out for a stroll.

This upgrade is part of a broader effort to foster active transportation in the city’s Uptown area, aligning with goals outlined in New Westminster’s Uptown Streetscape Vision and the ambitious 7 Bold Steps for Climate Action.


A People-Centred Vision for Uptown Mobility

At its heart, the Rotary Crosstown Greenway 5th - 8th Street project is about reimagining how people move through their neighbourhoods. The City’s goal? Enable residents of all ages and abilities to travel safely and comfortably on foot, by bike, and using other non-motorized wheels.

This segment of the Greenway project plays a critical role in expanding New Westminster’s cycling network and offers improved connections for everyday activities—whether you're commuting to work, heading to class at New Westminster Secondary, or simply enjoying a weekend ride.

The project also fits seamlessly into larger city-building goals: reducing reliance on cars, promoting green infrastructure, and enhancing the overall public realm. More than just a mobility project, it’s a public space initiative.


What to Expect: Protected Lanes, Green Features, and More

Community input was central to shaping the final design, which emerged through two rounds of public engagement. Here’s what residents can look forward to once construction is complete:

  • Protected bicycle lanes along Seventh Avenue from Fifth Street to Eighth Street, creating a much-needed safe cycling connection in Uptown.

  • New landscaping and seating areas to support an enjoyable and accessible public realm.

  • A mid-block raised crosswalk between Eighth and Sixth Streets, improving pedestrian safety.

Beyond these physical improvements, the project will also explore ways to enhance the street’s tree canopy and introduce green infrastructure where feasible, contributing to climate resilience and urban livability.


Coordinated Construction Timeline

Construction of the Greenway upgrades is scheduled to begin in mid-2024, following the completion of Metro Vancouver’s water main work—part of the Central Park Main No. 2 project—along the same corridor. This strategic coordination is designed to minimize disruption for residents and businesses alike.

In the meantime, interim upgrades are being considered for summer 2024. These include temporary measures like flexible bollards to signal upcoming changes and support safer biking in advance of full implementation.


A Long-Term Vision Rooted in Community Input

The journey toward this “ultimate design” has been in motion for several years. Back in 2017, the City implemented temporary improvements between Fifth and Eighth Streets as part of the 2016 Engineering Services Work Plan. These early enhancements were guided by input from an Advisory Committee on active transportation and set the stage for New Westminster’s first All Ages and Abilities cycling facility.

Since then, public consultation efforts in 2018 and again in 2020 shaped the more permanent changes now moving forward. The City’s commitment to meaningful community engagement has ensured that the final plan reflects local needs and aspirations.


What’s Next for Uptown?

As New Westminster continues to prioritize sustainable transportation and climate-friendly development, projects like the Rotary Crosstown Greenway signal a shift toward more inclusive and environmentally conscious urban design.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed through the City’s official channels and project pages. Construction updates for both the Greenway and the Metro Vancouver water main work are being shared regularly.

Curious how these upgrades could reshape everyday life in Uptown? We’re keeping a close watch on projects like this so our clients are always in the know. Want to be one of them?

Read