Just how bad is traffic in Coquitlam – and what can the municipal government do about it?
We asked candidates for their thoughts on Coquitlam’s biggest transportation challenge and about the city’s cycling infrastructure. Here’s what they told us.
What is the biggest gap in Coquitlam’s cycling infrastructure?
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Benjamin Perry
Coquitlam lacks separated protected bike lanes on major routes like Barnet and Lougheed highways. It is very difficult for cyclists to get past the Cape Horn Interchange from Riverview Hospital to Maillardville. We are also short on end of trip facilities at shopping centres and residential buildings.
Carl Trepanier
We lack safe cycling corridors, particularly moving north/south. This problem is especially acute on hills such as Thermal, Gatensbury, Lansdowne and Johnson. We need to separate bikes from cars.
Robert Mazzarolo
The need for more dedicated, protected cycling space.
Sean Lee
From my perspective, the major issue related to cycling infrastructure is the disconnection of bike lanes in our City, which threatens the safety of cyclists. I advocate for the implementation of an evidence-based road infrastructure designing plan to accommodate separated bike lanes to promote safety and green, alternative transportation.
Brian Misera
Bike lanes along lower traffic streets.
Cameron McBryer
I’d like to see easy access to the Port Mann bridge
Dennis Marsden (incumbent)
United Boulevard connectivity and the absence of separated bike lanes suitable for all levels of rider. Work is underway on both and we will see separated lanes on Guildford in 2023 in partnership with city & TransLink funding.
Teri Towner (incumbent)
Connectivity. We need cycling infrastructure on the Coquitlam side of the Port Mann bridge connecting to the Central Valley Greenway. We also need bike routes along Lougheed Highway (Schoolhouse to Coquitlam Centre) and improved connectivity between Coquitlam and Port Moody and Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam.
Rob Bottos
While much of the newer Northern development has been built with bikeable through-trails, South Coquitlam cyclists must rely on a road network that is already crowded by automotive traffic.
Trish Mandewo (incumbent)
My husband and daughter are avid cyclist, and they share the dangers that they face sometimes. We need more bike paths that are separated from the main road. The gap is in three paths:
- Lack of cycling paths
- Lack of safe paths
- Lack of bike parking
Phillip Buchan
We need separated bike lanes to protect cyclists from cars.
Ben Craig
We need wider roadways and paths to accommodate a growing cycling community.
Matt Djonlic
An increase in safe North/South bound routes that would allow for those neighbourhoods not easily accessed by SkyTrain to safely bike to SkyTrain and use the bike storage lock ups.
What’s the biggest transportation problem in Coquitlam, and what should be done about it?
Benjamin Perry
Coquitlam faces a traffic problem in City Centre and the Southwest Corner as we add tens of thousands of new residents. The solution is to give residents the choice to live without a car by saying no to developments unless they have ample commercial and public service space, are well-served by transit, and include safe, complete walking, biking and rolling infrastructure.
Carl Trepanier
We lack timely public transit in Coquitlam. Bus trips can take 4 to 5 times longer than car trips in many cases. An 8 minute car trip from my house to Douglas College takes over 40 minutes by bus. We need to consider ideas that will move people much much faster to their destinations.
Robert Mazzarolo
Travelling through the town-center core. With the projected population increase in this area, more office space and commercial space should be built to reduce the need for residents to get in their vehicles for work. Increased walking paths and bike lanes will also help alleviate congestion.
Sean Lee
The biggest problem involves access to public transportation. To resolve this issue, the City must concentrate on increasing the access to public transportation from all parts of our City to reduce traffic jams by extending the Evergreen Line and creating more Transit Centres to enhance access and ridership.
Brian Misera
I think there are two, limited West Coast Express and Skytrain service. It would be very beneficial to have an express option to go downtown throughout the day and on weekends to enjoy the Greater Vancouver scenery. Also, the SkyTrain needs to run later so that young club goers and late night workers can get home safely.
Cameron McBryer
We need later and more frequent service for transit. Make it easy to get out of cars and in to work.
Dennis Marsden (incumbent)
Brunette interchange is a mess and limits access to Riyal Columbian Hospital. New West & coquitlam agreed on a solution for the province to fund and then New West changed their mind. The province must step in and make this project happen, but to date have been reluctant to do so, so more advocacy is needed.
Teri Towner (incumbent)
New Westminster should never have been allowed to block improvements to the Brunette Interchange when Highway One was widened/improved etc. Coquitlam’s residents NEED access to the Region’s maternity ward & trauma centre; the Brunette mess doesn’t permit that very easily! We must continue loudly advocating to Ministry of Transportation to FINALLY act on the Brunette Interchange issue.
Rob Bottos
Coquitlam is divided between our Northeast area and Southwest area with limited ability to move between them easily.
Trish Mandewo (incumbent)
When new developments come to Council, adjusting traffic patterns is often a solution. As we increase density changing the traffic light patterns will fall short. We have bottlenecks and they are getting worse. We need to build walkable cities and we also need to densify along TOD areas so people can use transit.
Phillip Buchan
The biggest problem I have heard on the doors is speeding. We need to cut down the speeding and dangerous driving in our city.We need the RCMP to enforce the speed limits more.
Ben Craig
We live in a bedroom community. Getting in, out and around the city has become challenging. Millions are being raised from new development that can support infrastructure. This new funding can be better utilized to alleviate bottlenecks within our city.
Matt Djonlic
Plans for the future of the Brunette Interchange. Royal Columbia and Braid Station can easily be blocked by a log jam in traffic getting over the overpass. We need to work with New Westminster, the Province, and TransLink to find a solution forward. Figuring out the future of the overpass will also be critical to how we proceed with development along Brunette. The Maillardville area needs continued revitalization through more commercial and arts and culture spaces along Brunette.
