Transportation Planning

Richmond Transportation Planning

Regional Transportation Planning

The Transportation Division works regularly with other external agencies, such as the Ministry of Transportation, Vancouver International Airport Authority and TransLink, to develop regional transportation strategies to meet future travel demand in the region. Some of the key projects currently under review are: Highway 99 improvements and the update of the Richmond Area Transit Plan.

Preliminary Road Design

Before detailed design is carried out for the construction of road improvement projects proposed in the City's Major Capital Works Program, preliminary functional design is prepared by the Transportation Division to define the scope of improvements, such as road width/alignment, traffic lane configuration, and property requirement. The functional design is carried out after consulting with various City departments as well as the public directly affected by the improvements.

Special Transportation Studies

Transportation studies are conducted for major development proposals, area community plans and other planning studies which require in-depth analysis of traffic implications. Major studies, such as the City Centre Transportation Study, are normally conducted by recognized transportation consultants retained by the City or the developer. Some small scale studies are conducted in-house by the Transportation Division.

Traffic Control

Traffic Calming

Special traffic control measures to discourage through traffic in a residential neighbourhood, such as special signage, curb extensions, and partial road closures, are sometimes warranted on local streets after confirming that the neighbourhood is adversely affected by this traffic. The implementation of such traffic calming measures is subject to traffic analysis by the Transportation Division and subsequent Council approval.

Carpooling

Richmond City Employee Ride Share Program
A "RideShare" carpool registry has been put in place for Richmond City Employees who are interested in sharing a ride to and from work. Transportation acts as a ride-matching coordinator providing assistance to employees in finding potential rideshare partners.

Pedestrian Facility Planning

Creating a Pedestrian Friendly Environment

To encourage people to walk rather than take the car on short trips, the City has developed various ongoing programs to improve the safety and environment for the pedestrian. Wider sidewalks and crosswalks, non-vehicular walkways, shorter city blocks with signalized crosswalks and roadside tree boulevards are some of the new measures that have been implemented to enhance the pedestrian environment. Crosswalks and sidewalks are installed when specific traffic engineering warrants are met. Location reviews are conducted on an ongoing basis.

Transportation Needs of People Living with Disabilities

The Transportation Division has taken a proactive approach to implementing roadway features to accommodate people living with disabilities. Each year, wheelchair accessible bus stops, sidewalks, and ramps have been added at key locations for the physically challenged. Accessible pedestrian devices (audible and vibro-tactile features) to assist the visually impaired have been installed at all special crosswalks and pedestrian signals and will eventually be installed at all traffic signal crosswalks. These features are augmented with fluorescent green-yellow push button signs and will have street name signs in both Braille and raised lettering. These initiatives are now design standards adopted by the City.

Richmond On-Street Cycling Network

Cycling Facility Planning

Cycling improvement projects are planned and designed annually based on the Richmond On-Street Cycling Network Plan adopted by Council. With input from the Richmond Active Transportation Committee, cycling projects are presented to Council each year for approval and submission to provincial and regional cost-sharing programs.

For more information on cycling in Richmond and throughout the region, visit our Cycling section.

Canada Line Rapid Transit System

• More information on the Canada Line project in Richmond
• For information on the entire Canada Line, including the YVR and Vancouver segments, visit the TransLink website.

TransLink Program Plan

Proposed transit improvements are outlined in TransLink's Annual Program Plan. These plans are forwarded to each of the Metro Vancouver municipalities, including Richmond, for review and comments. Transportation Division identifies key local transit issues arising from the plans and make recommendations to Council to address the issues.

Richmond Area Transit Plan

The first Richmond Area Transit Plan was developed jointly by the City and TransLink and approved by Council and the TransLink Board in September 2000.

The ATP identified improvements to transit service in the City over a 3-5 year period. As most of the new improvements have been implemented, the City and TransLink began the process to update the ATP, now called the Southwest Area Transport Plan in 2016, which will include extensive public consultation.

On-Street Parking Management

Traffic safety issues are discussed at regular meetings of the City's Traffic Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC), which consists of members from the City's Transportation and Community Bylaw Divisions, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Richmond School Board, Richmond District Parents Association, Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC), and Richmond Fire-Rescue.

School Zone Traffic Safety

• traffic safety audit to review traffic control measures around Richmond elementary schools
• educational efforts directed at parents and children to raise awareness of traffic safety around schools and the annual “Traffic Safety Awareness Week” campaign
• promotional strategies to encourage parents and children to walk/ride to school and thereby reduce traffic congestion (e.g., annual International Walk to School Day event and contest

Special traffic regulations are often implemented around schools for the safety of students. Reduced Speed Zones of 30 km/h were established in March 1992 on local roads fronting elementary schools. These reduced speed zones are in effect between 8 am and 5 pm on school days. Parking and stopping restrictions are normally established along road frontages of elementary schools and if required, on adjacent roads to improve visibility and avoid traffic congestion in critical areas.

For more information on school zone traffic safety, see Traffic Safety Around Schools.

Citywide Traffic Safety Programs

On-going traffic safety programs undertaken by the Transportation Division include: Richmond/ICBC Joint Studies on Intersection Safety, School Traffic Safety Audits, Construction Zone Traffic Safety Reviews, annual Traffic Accident Analysis and Summary, annual Crosswalk Reviews, and annual Traffic Signal Reviews. The Transportation Division regularly liaises with the Richmond Centre for Disability and the Seniors Advisory Council on various traffic safety issues.

Special Events and Location Filming

Traffic and Pedestrian Signals

• Rezoning
• Subdivision
• Development Permit
• Agricultural Land Commission
• Strata Title
• Temporary Land Use
• Development Variance Permits

• impact on traffic volumes and operations surrounding a site
• traffic safety issues
• circulation layout
• access numbers, locations and design
• connections with adjacent sites (interconnectivity)
• parking requirements and layout
• pedestrian connections
• transit service
• adherence to policies, bylaws, official community plans (OCP's) and area plans

After each application is reviewed, recommendations and requirements on transportation improvements are made in the following areas:

• property dedication
• road and sidewalk construction or improvements
• funding of traffic safety devices (signals, crosswalk, etc.)
• covenants covering access restrictions and/or limitations
• access design guidelines
• right-of-way agreements
• consultation/coordination with adjacent sites
• auto-use reduction programs
• transportation studies

Improving Traffic Flow at City Centre Waterfront

Strategic Objectives of River Road Realignment

Temporary Nature of River Road Alignment

Update of City Centre Transportation Plan

The update of the City Centre Area Plan (CCAP) was completed in July 2008 with adoption of the Plan in 2009. In conjunction with the CCAP update, an update to the City Centre Transportation Plan (CCTP), first adopted in 1997, was a necessary complement and was completed in co-ordination with the CCAP in July 2008. The CCTP update builds upon the key objectives of the 1997 CCTP to foster a more balanced transportation system that emphasizes transit, cycling and walking as the preferred modes to meet future travel demand. The updated CCTP will be used as a guiding document defining in detail the transportation plan components, their phasing plans and funding mechanisms to achieve the vision and ultimate build-out of the city core area.

Phase 1 - Creating a Transportation Vision

In February 2007, potential key features of the CCTP Vision were identified and presented for public comment and feedback. In July 2007, City Council endorsed in principle the draft CCTP Vision. In December 2007, City Council approved the final CCTP Vision, which can be summarized as:

CCTP Update - Creating a Transportation Vision

Phase 2 - Developing an Implementation Strategy

Phase 2 was the development of an implementation strategy that identified the requirements, priority and potential timing of transportation improvement projects that will build towards the Vision. This work was completed in Summer 2008 and incorporated into the Implementation & Phasing Strategies of the completed CCAP.

The Mobility & Access section of the OCP outlines Richmond’s objectives and policies for meeting this challenge and transitioning to a more sustainable transportation system that enhances the vibrancy, safety and health of the city for future generations.

Mayors’ Council Plan for Transit and Transportation

Phase 1 of the plan, approved in November 2016, comprises $2 billion in transit, road, cycling, and walking improvements beginning in 2017. Phase 2, approved in June 2018, funds an estimated $7.3 billion in transportation improvements.

Highlights of Phases 1 and 2 of the Mayors’ Council Plan include:

• 18% increase in bus service including 7 new B-Lines.
• 22% increase in HandyDART service.
• 48% increase in rail service following delivery of 188 new rail cars (Expo Line, Millennium Line and Evergreen Extension, Canada Line, West Coast Express).
• Millennium Line Broadway extension from VCC-Clark to Arbutus
• Construction of Surrey-Newton-Guildford light rail.
• Planning for Surrey-Langley light rail.
• New funding for improvements to the Major Road Network.
• Expansion and improvements to cycling and walking networks.

Additional information is available on the 10-Year Vision website.

Phase 1 Richmond Improvements

• 22 additional Canada Line train cars to increase capacity and alleviate crowding.
• Planning and design for a new B-Line route connecting Richmond City Centre to Metrotown in Burnaby.
• Improving and expanding frequent all-day bus service for the 410 (Railway-22nd Street Station), the 401 (One Road-Garden City) and 430 (Metrotown-Brighouse Station).
• Improving and expanding frequent peak bus service during highest-demand time periods for the 402 (Two Road-Brighouse Station) and the 403 (Three Road-Bridgeport Station).
• Additional funding for cost-sharing on local roadway upgrades along the Major Road Network (MRN) and other local cycling/pedestrian improvements.

Phase 2 Richmond Improvements

• Increase Canada Line service during rush hours, evenings and weekends beginning in 2020.
• Implement new Richmond City Centre-Metrotown B-Line route by 2021.
• Additional funding for cost-sharing on local roadway upgrades along the MRN and other local cycling/pedestrian improvements.

On August 18, 2021, the Province announced that a new eight-lane immersed-tube tunnel will replace the George Massey Tunnel. The project scope includes:

• Two of the eight lanes will be dedicated for bus rapid transit.
  
• A separate single tube will have a bi-directional path for cyclists and pedestrians.
  
• The new crossing will be built north of the existing tunnel and at the same depth.
  
• The existing tunnel will be decommissioned and removed, and the BC Hydro lines relocated.
  
• The crossing will be toll-free and has an estimated cost of $4.15 billion versus $4.22 billion for an eight-lane bridge.
  
• The Deas Island Bridge will be replaced with an eight-lane bridge.
  
• A new southbound transit lane will be added between Westminster Highway and Steveston Highway, and the existing dedicated transit lane will be converted to a general traffic lane.
  

The new crossing is anticipated to be in service in 2030, and the existing crossing will be decommissioned by 2032. For more information, visit the Province of BC's Highway 99 Tunnel Program website.

Highway 99 Corridor Improvements

On June 22, 2021, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (the Ministry) announced improvements along the Highway 99 corridor that are components of the George Massey Crossing Project and will be implemented in advance of the tunnel replacement. The works comprise the following improvements with two projects located in Richmond:

• Steveston Interchange: The existing two-lane overpass structure at Steveston Highway and Highway 99 will be replaced to accommodate two eastbound lanes and three westbound lanes including a left turn lane to southbound Highway 99. The project will also include dedicated pedestrian and cycling paths on both sides of the twinning overpass. The project is expected to be complete in 2025.
• Bus-Only Connection at Bridgeport Road: A new bus-only access ramp is currently under construction from Bridgeport Road to Highway 99 southbound to improve transit access to the highway. New multi-use path connections to/from Oak Street Bridge are included as part of this work. Work is expected to begin in fall 2021 and be completed in spring 2022.
• Transit Improvements south of the George Massey Tunnel: Bus-on-shoulder lanes along Highway 99 will be extended southbound between Highways 17 and 17A (2.5 km) and Highway 17 and Ladner Trunk Road (3.4 km), and northbound between Ladner Trunk Road and the current start of the HOV lane (3.5 km). The Highway 99 northbound off-ramp and on-ramp will be widened to add a bus-only lane at the Highway 99/Highway 17A interchange, and Highway 17A lanes will be widened for eastbound bus/HOV priority. The Highway 17A work will include new ramp crossings for cyclists and improvements to the bike shuttle pull-out including a new shelter. For all of the improvements, work is expected to begin in fall 2021.

Past Reports to City Council

Reports are provided in Adobe Acrobat pdf format.

Relevant Documents

Capstan Station

Capstan Station will be a new Canada Line station in Richmond, built along No. 3 Road at Capstan Way. It will be located between the existing Bridgeport and Aberdeen stations.

The station is being built to support the growing development in the area and to provide area residents and workers with convenient access to the SkyTrain network. This exciting project will deliver a safe, efficient, and environmentally sustainable transportation option for the Capstan Village area, which projects up to 16,000 residents once the full buildout of neighbourhood developments are completed.

A unique funding strategy developed by the City permits developers of projects within the Capstan Station Bonus Area to be entitled to bonus density in return for making voluntary contributions to the planning, construction and implementation cost of the Capstan Station as well as other related improvements for users of the station. Funding to initiate construction of the station was transferred by the City to TransLink in 2019.

Planning Timeline

• TransLink Public Engagement
  Nov 16 to 23, 2020
• Design: Substantial Completion
  September 2021
• Construction Start
  September 2021
• Station: Substantial Completion
  Expected in Spring 2023

Project Updates

• Video showing rendering
• Construction info
• Planning timeline
• How did we get here
• FAQ

TransLink Project Contact

• Informing speed interventions with public engagement.
• Redesigning streets to discourage speeding.
• Enhancing the comfort of people walking, biking, or rolling.

• Multiple residents request speed management measures on their local street (A petition may be requested).
• Traffic studies are conducted by staff to measure road safety and operational issues.
• Staff collaborate with residents to develop tailored traffic calming measures based on the speed data results and site conditions to work towards achieving consensus.
• Surveys of affected residents determine the level of support for the proposed traffic calming measures developed during the engagement phase. Implementation subject to funding and/or City approvals.