Coquitlam is moving forward with active transportation, accessibility, and safety improvements along Nelson Street in Southwest Coquitlam, supported by strong community and Council support.
COQUITLAM, B.C., June 20, 2024 – Coquitlam is moving forward with active transportation, accessibility, and safety improvements along Nelson Street in Southwest Coquitlam, supported by strong community and Council support.
What We Heard – Insights from Community Engagement
From February to June 2024, the City sought community feedback on the proposed transportation improvements along Nelson Street to gather insights into travel experiences, identify barriers, and address questions and concerns to support the finalized corridor design.
Over 300 people participated through both in-person information sessions and an online survey. The feedback highlighted the community’s strong support for the proposed mobility and safety improvements along Nelson Street, including:
- Wider, separated sidewalks and streetscape enhancements to enhance the walking experience.
- One-way micromobility lanes to separate bikes and scooters from faster and slower moving users.
Key insights gained through community engagement include:
- Strong support for proposed improvements: Over 80% of participants expressed support for the overall project.
- Active transportation, safety and accessibility enhancements welcome: Feedback reflected appreciation for changes focused on road safety, accessibility and mobility. These included separated micromobility lanes, wider sidewalks, improved lighting, enhanced intersections and crossings, and better vehicle speed management.
- Positive feedback on streetscape enhancements: Top priorities are street trees, rain gardens, landscaping and on-street parking in high-demand areas.
- Key concerns: Directly impacted residents expressed concerns about on-street parking availability, safety when backing out of driveways, adequate loading areas and access for delivery and emergency vehicles, impacts of densification and future growth, and potential increase in traffic congestion.
A full What We Heard report and infographic summarizing community feedback is available at LetsTalkCoquitlam.ca/NelsonStreet.
Next Steps
Community feedback, along with budget and further technical considerations, will shape the final project design. A future report to Council will introduce the final design and anticipated costs before the project proceeds to tender and construction in 2025.
About the Nelson Street Active Transportation Improvement Project
The Nelson Street Active Transportation Improvement Project aims to enhance safety and accessibility along a vital 1.7-kilometre corridor that connects the Austin Heights and Maillardville neighbourhoods, as well as supports connections to the future Fraser Mills area.
Proposed improvements will provide safer, more accessible routes to key destinations like Blue Mountain and Mackin parks, neighbourhood centres and transit routes. Safety enhancements would include wider, separated sidewalks, one-way micromobility lanes, improved intersections, and curb letdowns. Streetscape improvements additions like benches, street trees, lighting, bike racks, and landscaping, along with on-street parking in high-demand areas, will benefit residents and visitors.
Learn more at LetsTalkCoqitlam.ca/NelsonStreet.
Supporting Active Transportation Options in Coquitlam
Active transportation includes walking, cycling, scootering and using mobility aids. Micromobility devices such as electric bikes and kick scooters also expand transportation options, making it easier to travel longer distances and tackle hills.
Coquitlam’s Strategic Transportation Plan aims to create a safe, convenient and comfortable network for all ages and abilities, supporting trips from Anywhere to Everywhere. As part of the City’s current update to its Strategic Transportation Plan, public feedback revealed that 40% of respondents are concerned about road safety, traffic speed and dangerous drivers, while 38% cite the absence of protected bike lanes and crossings as major barriers to active transportation. Coquitlam’s efforts will focus on building an inclusive transportation network that strives to enhance accessibility and equity, considering the needs of seniors, children, youth people with mobility challenges, and individuals who cannot drive or do not have access to a vehicle.
Find out more at LetsTalkCoquitlam.ca/TransportationPlan.
Media contact
Thomas Thivener
Transportation Planning Manager
NelsonStreet@coquitlam.ca
604-927-3500
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.