TransLink is asking for the public’s input on a route option in Burnaby for the future bus rapid transit (BRT) line between Metrotown and the North Shore.
The bus will operate between Metrotown in Burnaby and Park Royal in West Vancouver, crossing the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge.
Metro Vancouver’s transit operator is asking for the public’s feedback on which two options they prefer for the route south of the bridge. Option one is connecting via Hastings Street and Willingdon Avenue, while the second choice is connecting via Boundary Road and Lougheed Highway, TransLink said in a media release Monday.
The BRT will span 21 kilometres with 16 or 17 stations, depending on the final route option selected.
The route options have sparked concerns and feedback from businesses, residents and transit advocates over the last two years, raising issues such as the impact lost parking spaces would have on the Willingdon Hastings route, and Boundary Road not being a good choice for a high capacity bus route.
The now-defunct Burnaby Now reported that in October of 2023, City of Burnaby engineering staff proposed an alternate route that would have connected Kootenay Loop to Brentwood Town Centre through Boundary Road, First Avenue and Halifax Avenue, instead of the original route along Hastings Street in Burnaby Heights.
A spokesperson from TransLink said Monday after further technical work and discussion, the transit operator and the City of Burnaby decided not to proceed with that route option, changing it to the second scenario that is up for input now.
With either route, TransLink said while the BRT operates with dedicated bus lanes, no traffic lanes will be removed on the Ironworkers Bridge for the project.
Station locations for the route were selected based on facilitating connections with major locations like Metrotown and Brentwood Town Centre and transit hubs like the SeaBus at Lonsdale Quay, Phibbs Exchange and Park Royal.
Locations were also determined based on growing residential areas and key destinations like BCIT, Burnaby Heights, Lynn Creek, Lower Lonsdale, Capilano Mall and Park Royal, while also providing faster service for transit users with fewer stops that are more spaced out, the release said.
“This new BRT service will better connect the North Shore and Burnaby with rapid transit, unlocking access to thousands of job sites along the way. It will speed up travel for customers with a reliable and comfortable ride, complete with dedicated bus lanes and weather-protected stations,” said Kevin Quinn, CEO of TransLink.
The transit operator said they estimate the BRT route would provide rapid transit access to more than 85,000 households and roughly 100,000 jobs that are within walking distance on the planned route.
Once the project is finished, TransLink said they estimate the BRT will have 60,000 riders daily and an end-to-end travel time of 60 minutes during rush hour, equalling to almost the same time as driving.
Mayors from the North Shore, Burnaby and Vancouver all said they welcomed the BRT line.
“Creating a bus rapid transit link between Metrotown and the North Shore is a huge win for Burnaby, the North Shore and the Metro Vancouver region,” said City of Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley in the release. “This north-south connection would provide excellent service to some of the fastest growing neighbourhoods in Burnaby, and help foster growth for businesses on both sides of the Burrard Inlet.”
Mike Little, mayor for the District of North Vancouver, said the project is an important step in tackling traffic challenges on the North Shore, and encouraged people to share their feedback.
“BRT including stations from Phibbs to Park Royal offers North Shore residents an easier and more reliable form of transit,” Little said. “We look forward to continuing the long-term vision of the Mayors’ Council that explores rapid transit improvements to and from the North Shore.”
People can participate in the engagement survey on TransLink’s website until Sept. 21.
Five in-person open houses will also take place between Sept. 4 to 17. Open houses are scheduled in North Vancouver for Sept. 9 at the John Braithwaite Community Centre (Shoreline Room) on Sept. 9 from 3 to 7 p.m. and at the Lynn Creek Community Recreation Centre (Creekview Room) on Sept. 17 from 3 to 7 p.m.
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
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