From 2016 to 2021, The City of Burnaby required engineering and landscape architecture services for the design and construction of road works and improvements on Lougheed Highway. This project involved a combination of pavement rehabilitation, road narrowing, median installation, sidewalks, cycle tracks and street beautification. Burnaby’s work improved the flow of traffic, bicycle, and pedestrian accessibility, and most importantly – safety.
Binnie’s team worked closely with the City of Burnaby, utilizing lighting and landscape architecture to create a safe, welcoming place for users. Additionally, Binnie liaised with Burnaby’s Traffic and Planning departments to suit their needs for safely conveying vehicle, cyclist, and pedestrian traffic through the corridor. Binnie designed safer access at intersections, as well as transitions from sidewalks, bike lanes, and urban trails to the intersection crossing facilities. Work included:
-upgrading roadways to the Lougheed Town Centre Standards.
-urban trail design, road rehabilitation and pavement marking; and
-landscape architecture design.
The approach to this project was a very collaborative one. With so many important stakeholders, it would not have been successful without engagement and thoughtful design from the City and externally. Since this project was initially designed three years before construction started, many external agencies had to be re-engaged, and various design requirements had changed. Binnie worked closely with the City, Contractor, and external agencies to coordinate and ensure all requirements and restrictions were adhered to.
The City took a very collaborative approach with Binnie and the Contractor, Jack Cewe Construction Ltd. Their responsive professionalism throughout the project was crucial for its overall success in both design and construction. The City was receptive to needed changes along the way and provided quick approvals and direction, which kept the project on track.
The goal of this project evolved to ensure that as much of the ultimate infrastructure would be created with the intent of preserving it for future development to expand. The curbs, median, roads and street trees were placed in ultimate locations as well as extensive sidewalk and cycle tracks. Where constraints existed, the infrastructure was shared in an asphalt multi-use-pathway. Future developers will now be able to maintain much of their frontage and be required to add rainwater management amenities, as well as separate the multi-use-path into sidewalk and cycle track wherever it exists.
Over the pandemic, the construction of two kilometers of Lougheed Highway from Underhill Avenue to Austin Road were upgraded with new asphalt, streetlighting, pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure including landscaping. The section from Gaglardi to Austin Avenue of 1 kilometer was upgraded on both sides with brand new all ages and abilities, active transportation infrastructure. The corridor has been successfully transformed from a vehicle highway to a welcoming gateway for all modes of transportation.
It was decided that due to safety challenges and the lack of sunlight and rainfall under the guideway, that there would be no median planting. This led to an artistic fence feature that provided a visual element and functioned as infrastructure to stop pedestrians from jaywalking across the busy Lougheed Highway.
