NWP releases Moving Forward New West transportation plan

New Westminster, B.C. (August 10, 2026) — The New Westminster Progressives have released its transportation platform – Moving Forward New West. The plan offers common sense transportation for everyone, with specific actions that will reduce gridlock, improve safety and make it easier to move around the city.

Today, city residents deal with too much backed-up traffic, rail delays, train whistles, construction detours, missing sidewalks and parking rules that make simple trips harder. New Westminster sits at the centre of Metro Vancouver – a densely populated city and a major hub for traffic moving through the region and within our own neighbourhoods. That reality must be addressed with practical action.

“People are tired of waiting while congestion gets worse and basic problems go unsolved, and in fact made worse by City Hall,” says Daniel Fontaine, NWP mayoral candidate and current New Westminster councillor. “A NWP council will focus on practical fixes that make life easier and respect every neighbourhood.”

The plan includes regularly publishing a list of the city’s 20 worst traffic bottlenecks and what’s being done to address them, freeing up congestion on major connector routes and increasing bridge capacity, addressing rail delays and noise, a focus on pedestrians and transit, taking care of basics like sidewalks, protecting parking, and better traffic enforcement.

“Transportation should not be a culture war,” says Ken Armstrong, NWP council candidate. “People walk, drive, cycle and take transit. They want common sense, safety, less delay and a City Hall that listens.”

The plan:

1. Fix New Westminster’s worst traffic bottlenecks. Residents don’t want more studies – they want practical solutions. We will:
   • Identify and publish the City’s 20 worst traffic bottlenecks within our first year.
   • Focus the city on addressing those bottlenecks with practical action.
   • Utilize modern technology to help prioritize practical intersection improvements including signal timing, turning lanes and traffic flow enhancements.
   • Publish an annual Traffic Improvement Report Card so residents can track our progress at these pain points.

2. Bring Political Leadership Back to Rail Issues. Railways are one of New Westminster’s biggest transportation challenges and require consistent political leadership and advocacy. We will:
   • Immediately re-establish the Railway Community Advisory Panel (RCAP) – a joint group of elected officials, railway companies, City staff, emergency responders and community representatives. This was abandoned in 2022 by the current majority on Council.
   • Through RCAP address rail delays, emergency access, neighbourhood impacts and better coordinate long-term rail planning – including the replacement of the Queensborough rail swing bridge.
   • Commit to hold regular public meetings of RCAP with agendas, reports and action updates available to residents.

3. Advocate to reduce train whistles. Residents have waited long enough for action. We will:
   • Work with our local Member of Parliament, Transport Canada and railway companies to accelerate the implementation of additional rail quiet zones.
   • Seek partner funding and advocate for infrastructure improvements that reduce unnecessary train whistles while maintaining public safety.
   • Continue to provide regular public updates on progress toward quieter, whistle-free neighbourhoods.

4. Champion major transportation investments. New Westminster must have transportation infrastructure that keeps pace with our growing population. We will:
   • Secure a commitment from the Province of British Columbia to begin planning for the future of the Queensborough Bridge, including replacement, twinning or expansion options, as a provincial priority over the next decade.
   • Continue advocating for improved bus frequency and reliability throughout New Westminster, including enhanced service to Queensborough.
   • Work with senior governments to secure funding for major transportation projects and upgrades that improve mobility throughout our city – and reduce congestion.
   • Accelerate the installation of new bus shelters in high demand areas on high frequency bus routes. This includes the installation of new protective shelters directly adjacent to the NWSS.

5. Deliver Common Sense Transportation Planning. Transportation decisions should unite neighbourhoods – not divide them. We will:
   • Address congestion on connector routes to ensure traffic can move through the city quickly, and without resorting to driving through residential streets.
   • Ensure all major transportation projects are supported by meaningful – not performative – public consultation.
   • Require neighbourhood traffic impact assessments before significant road changes (including traffic calming) are approved.
   • Make all transportation decisions based on safety, evidence and community feedback – not political ideology.
   • Commit to undertaking a thorough internal review of the city’s speed bump installation strategy & policies.
   • Undertake a 12-month pilot “30 Mins on Us” free parking program in the Columbia District to encourage more commerce and vibrancy downtown.
   • Work with the provincial government to finalize and plan and secure funding to provide free public transit for teens aged 13 to 18 in B.C.
   • Establish a new Transportation and Traffic citizen-based committee supported by City Hall.

6. Take a balanced approach to cycling. Cycling is an important part of our transportation network – but so are the needs of pedestrians, transit users, motorists and local businesses. We will:
   • Review the performance and efficacy of all existing bike lane projects to identify opportunities for improvement and cost savings.
   • Ensure future cycling investments are based on safety, evidence, public consultation, neighbourhood impacts.
   • Continue investing in recreational cycling initiatives, including initiatives that will connect Sapperton, Downtown and Queensborough waterfronts.
   • Work with the New Westminster Caucus and Southern Railway of British Columbia (SRY) to ensure the replacement of the Queensborough rail swing bridge incorporates new pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.

7. Modernize Our transportation network. Technology should help keep New Westminster moving. We will:
   • Expand smart traffic signal technology where appropriate.
   • Improve signal timing along major transportation corridors.
   • Use technology to reduce unnecessary delays and improve traffic flow throughout the city.

8. Improve construction coordination. Construction is necessary – but unnecessary disruption is not. We will:
   • Improve coordination of major construction projects – including those undertaken in our city by the Metro Vancouver Regional District.
   • Minimize unnecessary lane closures and traffic disruptions which can have major impacts on local businesses.
   • Increase fines for violations when new developments undertake unauthorized activities that impact local business operations.
   • Improve communication with residents and business owners through better – more advanced construction notices and detour information.

9. Make Walking Safer and More Accessible. Every trip begins and ends on foot. We will:
   • Prioritize missing sidewalk connections throughout the city – with a priority in Queensborough and Connaught Heights.
   • Improve pedestrian crossings near schools, parks, seniors’ facilities and transit hubs. This includes a commitment to upgrade and improve safety at the 2nd St and 6th Ave intersection (within 12 months) due to its proximity to Ecole Herbert Spencer Elementary School.
   • Continue improving accessibility for residents of all ages and abilities.
   • Construct a ‘scramble sidewalk’ at the corner of 8th St and Carnarvon which currently experiences a high volume of pedestrian activity in 2027
   • Improve pedestrian safety by significantly expanding and accelerating the implementation of ‘pedestrian advance signals’ in key areas throughout the city.
   • Provide long-term funding to the Society of Children and Youth BC to add at least two additional routes as part of their successful Walking School Bus program.

10. Protect Neighbourhood Parking. Parking policies should work for residents, businesses and visitors alike. We will:
    • Review residential parking policies to improve fairness, affordability and availability and provide more flexibility in the issuance of permits.
    • Improve wayfinding to public and private parking facilities.
    • Balance the parking needs of neighbourhoods, businesses and visitors when making all future capital investment decisions.
    • Within 100 days eliminate the city policy which is currently working to reduce the overall number of public parking spaces within the city.

11. Prioritize Enforcement. Streets are safer when reasonable traffic rules are enforced. We will:
    • Ensure Council works through the Police Board to emphasize the City’s interest in supporting enhanced traffic enforcement and education programs throughout the city.
    • Utilize our existing by-laws and education programs to discourage the illegal usage of e-scooters, electric motor bikes etc…on city-owned sidewalks and other public places not under the jurisdiction of the NWPD.

Enough gridlock. Let’s get New Westminster moving again.

The NWP is running a team of 13 candidates for New Westminster city council and school board in the upcoming municipal election. The NWP’s platform is informed by ongoing conversations with residents through New West City Matters, the party’s community listening initiative.

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