The MTP update process is being guided by the following:

MTP Vision: Port Coquitlam’s transportation system is a connected network offering a range of travel options to safely move people and goods while supporting the well-being of residents, businesses and the environment.

MTP Mission: The Master Transportation Plan is a roadmap for identifying, prioritizing and implementing practical, cost effective improvements to achieve the Vision for Port Coquitlam’s transportation system.

The survey questions propose goals and objectives for the MTP based on known information and issues, as well as Council, stakeholder and public input to date.

Focus Areas, Goals and Objectives:

Focus areas represent areas where we have heard improvements are needed most. Goals and objectives will be used to develop a prioritized Implementation Plan with specific actions and costs to achieve the MTP vision.

Travel Options

Walking/Wheeling

• Includes accessible forms of walking such as wheelchair, stroller, and mobility aids. Supporting infrastructure includes sidewalks, trails and pathways.
• Goal: Ensure people have safe, direct and comfortable routes to walk or wheel to key destination points in the city.
• Objectives:
  1. Identify locations and costs to establish network of sidewalks, multi-use trails and pathways that provide safe and direct routes to walk/wheel to key destination points
  2. Identify locations and costs for providing a sidewalk on at least one side of streets that provide a direct route to key destination points.
  3. Identify locations and costs for providing enhanced crossings on direct routes to key destination points (e.g. flashing lights, raised crosswalks, curb bulges).

Cycling/Rolling

• Includes human-powered and electric devices such as bicycles, scooters, skateboards, inline skates, etc. Supporting infrastructure includes multi-use paths and trails, bike lanes, and bike parking.
• Goal: Provide safe, comfortable and attractive cycling/rolling facilities that encourage people of all ages and abilities to cycle/roll through the city.
• Objectives:
  1. Identify locations and costs to establish a network of multi-use paths, trails, and cycling facilities to ensure people have safe and direct routes to cycle or roll to key destination points.
  2. Identify locations and costs for providing wayfinding stencils, maps and/or signage to help people navigate the network easily and safely.

Trails

• Goal: Provide a trail network that connects to key destination points and encourages people to get out in the community and enjoy nature.
• Objectives:
  1. Review the trail network to identify gaps and needs, such as missing connections, safe routes to schools, accessible paths, and routes that need to be expanded. 
  2. Identify locations and costs for providing items on the trail network that make it more safe, comfortable and easy to navigate, such as: surfacing upgrades, wayfinding/interpretive signage, lighting, pocket parks, benches, waste receptacles, etc.
  3. Consider promoting trails as a tourism/recreational destination to draw more people to the city to support local businesses and economy.  Supported by 60% of survey respondents.

Transit

• Covers regional transit service and infrastructure including bus stops, West Coast Express and SkyTrain stations. Supporting City infrastructure includes transit shelters, benches, and transit priority road elements (bus lanes, signals, queue jumpers).
• Goal: Encourage the use of transit with attractive and accessible stops, and road improvements that support efficient and reliable transit service.
• Objectives:
  1. Identify locations and costs for direct connections to frequent transit through the provision of sidewalks, trails, paths and bike lanes.
  2. Identify locations and costs for implementing transit priority improvements at select locations to support bus speed and reliability (e.g. bus pullouts, advanced signals for buses).
  3. Provide bus stop amenities that make transit more accessible and inviting (e.g. pedestrian/wheelchair pads, benches, shelters, lighting, etc.).
  4. Advocate for a SkyTrain station in Downtown Port Coquitlam.

Auto

• Includes cars, trucks, and other private motorized vehicles. Supporting infrastructure includes roads and intersections that allow traffic to flow and accommodate volume/growth, and allow trucks to move goods to and through Port Coquitlam.
• Goal: Ensure roads, corridors and intersections are constructed to support traffic, new development and population growth so that people and goods can flow through the city.
• Objectives:
  1. Plan and budget for major outstanding corridor and bridge projects such as the Fremont Connector, Lougheed Highway Improvements and Lincoln Avenue Connector.
  2. Review the road network to identify routes and improvements that facilitate the efficient movement of vehicles, goods, and people while supporting population growth.
  3. Update City road design standards to safely accommodate all travel options.
  4. Continue to monitor and plan for intersection improvements based on demand, safety, and efficiency.

Urban Street Design

• Goal: Design selected streets in the City’s more urban, commercial areas as attractive ‘people places’ that support:
  • local businesses (e.g. by attracting more people to the street to shop)
  • walking/wheeling/rolling (e.g. sidewalk, bike lane, multi-use paths)
  • a healthy environment (e.g. street trees, vegetation, stormwater treatment)
  • places to gather (e.g. sidewalk cafes, benches, plazas)
  • less congestion, speed and noise (e.g. traffic calming such as speed bumps)
• Objectives:
  1. Identify streets and locations for urban street design improvements.
  2. Identify opportunities and locations for patios and sidewalk cafes.
  3. Identify opportunities and locations for street trees, rain gardens and public art.

Sustainability

• Goal: Support a healthy environment and livable community through the use of technology and services that reduce traffic congestion, pollution, and/or dependence on vehicle ownership.
• Objectives:
  1. Identify opportunities to expand car share and bike share programs.
  2. Evaluate opportunities for electric vehicle charging stations.
  3. Identify opportunities and risks with emerging technologies (e.g. electric scooters/ bikes).
  4. Identify locations and costs for adequate lighting at high risk locations to key destination points (e.g. crosswalks, intersections and trailheads).

Work began in 2020 and has included:

• Developing a terms of reference and evaluation criteria,
• Securing a consultant to support the process,
• Reviewing documents, programs, policies, regional objectives, past surveys and community input, and
• Identifying existing conditions, key issues and opportunities, strategic goals and objectives.

Plan development and community consultation will take place over the course of the project, with public and stakeholder engagement beginning in the first quarter.

• Phase 1 – Identify Existing Conditions, Issues, Opportunities and Goals: Q4 2020 to Q1 2021
• Phase 2 – Preliminary Strategies and Solutions: Q2 2021 to Q4 2021
• Phase 3 – Development of Draft Plan: Q1 2022 to Q2 2023
• Phase 4 – MTP Finalization: Q3 – Q4 2023

In 2011, the City began an update of its Master Transportation Plan (MTP), a long-term multi-modal transportation strategy guiding the development of the City’s roadway network, transit services, pedestrian systems and bicycle facilities.

The MTP was adopted in November 2013, replacing the former 2000 MTP. Much had changed in the decade that followed the 2000 MTP, during which the City underwent significant growth and development and was successful in developing a more efficient and sustainable transportation system. Improvements included:

• Coast Meridian Overpass
• Broadway Street Reconstruction Project
• Installation of traffic signals to improve safety at many high-traffic intersections, and development of extensive cycling and pedestrian facilities through the Master Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan.

To prepare for the 2013 Master Transportation Plan, the City studied all modes of the transportation network, including the impact of local and regional improvements such as the Coast Meridian Overpass, Pitt River Bridge, Golden Ears Bridge and the David Avenue Connector.

The City commissioned Urban Systems, the consultants who wrote the 2000 Master Transportation Plan, to assist with the development of the 2013 MTP. Urban Systems reported on the existing transportation network and worked closely with the City and community throughout the process of updating the MTP.