New Westminster's Front Street closes for parkade redevelopment

Starting today traffic through downtown New Westminster is going to become a lot more snarled thanks to the closure ofFront Street from Begbie Street to East Columbia Street.

The five-month disruption is due to the deconstruction of the Front Street Parkade, and the construction of a new development known as the Front Street Mews.

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BegbieStreet is also closed from Feb. 1 to 5 to allow for the removal of the western-most portion of theparkade.

The city is asking people heading to the waterfront atQuaysideDrive to use theMcInnesStreet overpass or the Third Avenue overpass.

Throughout the project local traffic will be permitted access to the Front Street Frontage Road via Sixth Street, although there will be periodic closures for safety reasons.

Front Street businesses will remain open during construction with pedestrian access maintainedat all times.

The construction is designed to improve the appearance of the frontage road, with new parking stalls, a wider sidewalk and landscaping.

The project is expected to be completed by July of this year.

Truck traffic rerouted

The following changes to truck route commercial regulations will be implemented:

• Eastbound truck traffic on Royal Avenue will be permitted between the hours of 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Westbound truck traffic will be permitted on Columbia Street between the hours of 6 a.m.to 9 p.m.
• Between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., commercial truck traffic will be permitted on 10th Avenue in the eastbound and westbound directions between Southridge Drive and McBride Boulevard.

Map of parking options during the closure