Upper Levels Greenway

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Update January 2024

The project team continues to work with our provincial partners to analyse the Upper Levels Highway intersection at Lonsdale. This work must be completed before we can reconnect with the community to share the full concept design. Thank you for your patience as we work through this multi-modal safety and design process.


Update June 2023

Over the past 12 months, we have focused on completing a variety of assessments, studies and reviews to ensure we develop a concept design that responds to community feedback and explores a number of challenging design constraints. To date, we’ve completed:

  • Tempe Park Forest Inventory – Documenting tree health and identifying the least impactful path through the park.

  • FireSmart Planning – Developing a forest management plan to address fire safety issues in Tempe Park.

  • Highway Noise Assessment – Measuring current noise levels and investigating options in Tempe Park to help design a path that avoids increased noise levels for residents.

  • Structural Studies – Understanding the condition and repair needs of various structures between Tempe Park and Lynn Valley Road.

  • Drainage Review – Developing a detailed plan to improve drainage flows and capacity throughout the study area.

  • Neighbourhood Traffic Assessment – Examining how the greenway will affect traffic patterns and identifying ways to reduce speeding and neighbourhood shortcutting.

  • Highway Analysis – Working with our provincial partners to analyse the Lonsdale intersection and confirm a safe multi-modal design. This work continues and a design solution has not yet been confirmed.


What’s Next?
We plan to reconnect with the community in winter 2023/2024 to share a full concept design for the Upper Levels Greenway and gather community input and ideas. Thank you for your patience while we completed the necessary background work to advance the project and bring forward a design that reflects careful consideration.


Update July 2022

In May 2022, we launched the second phase of engagement for the Upper Levels Greenway and presented three route options based on the priorities you told us were important. We also presented a number of design approaches and gathered input about how well each of the different approaches support the community priorities of safety and experience.

Over 800 survey responses were received and over 100 people attended in-person events to share their input. Learn more in the Phase 2 Engagement Summary.

The feedback we received indicates that the Purple Route is likely emerging as the preferred option to advance to the next phase of concept design. The public engagement period also helped us identify several technical questions that require further exploration in order to confirm the preferred route. Learn more in the Existing Conditions Summary.

Over the next few months, we will explore key feasibility questions related to:

  1. Alignment options in Tempe Heights Park, including considerations around topography, accessibility, and forest and invasive species management
  2. The condition of the berm between Lynn Valley Road and Tempe Heights Park
  3. Intersection analysis and design options for safely crossing both Lonsdale and Westview Drive
  4. Neighbourhood level traffic calming opportunities to reduce speeding and shortcutting while maintaining local access

The results of these investigations will be used to confirm the preferred route and develop the concept design for the Upper Levels Greenway. The community will have an opportunity to review the concept and provide feedback in early 2023.

Update January 2024

The project team continues to work with our provincial partners to analyse the Upper Levels Highway intersection at Lonsdale. This work must be completed before we can reconnect with the community to share the full concept design. Thank you for your patience as we work through this multi-modal safety and design process.


Update June 2023

Over the past 12 months, we have focused on completing a variety of assessments, studies and reviews to ensure we develop a concept design that responds to community feedback and explores a number of challenging design constraints. To date, we’ve completed:

  • Tempe Park Forest Inventory – Documenting tree health and identifying the least impactful path through the park.

  • FireSmart Planning – Developing a forest management plan to address fire safety issues in Tempe Park.

  • Highway Noise Assessment – Measuring current noise levels and investigating options in Tempe Park to help design a path that avoids increased noise levels for residents.

  • Structural Studies – Understanding the condition and repair needs of various structures between Tempe Park and Lynn Valley Road.

  • Drainage Review – Developing a detailed plan to improve drainage flows and capacity throughout the study area.

  • Neighbourhood Traffic Assessment – Examining how the greenway will affect traffic patterns and identifying ways to reduce speeding and neighbourhood shortcutting.

  • Highway Analysis – Working with our provincial partners to analyse the Lonsdale intersection and confirm a safe multi-modal design. This work continues and a design solution has not yet been confirmed.


What’s Next?
We plan to reconnect with the community in winter 2023/2024 to share a full concept design for the Upper Levels Greenway and gather community input and ideas. Thank you for your patience while we completed the necessary background work to advance the project and bring forward a design that reflects careful consideration.


Update July 2022

In May 2022, we launched the second phase of engagement for the Upper Levels Greenway and presented three route options based on the priorities you told us were important. We also presented a number of design approaches and gathered input about how well each of the different approaches support the community priorities of safety and experience.

Over 800 survey responses were received and over 100 people attended in-person events to share their input. Learn more in the Phase 2 Engagement Summary.

The feedback we received indicates that the Purple Route is likely emerging as the preferred option to advance to the next phase of concept design. The public engagement period also helped us identify several technical questions that require further exploration in order to confirm the preferred route. Learn more in the Existing Conditions Summary.

Over the next few months, we will explore key feasibility questions related to:

  1. Alignment options in Tempe Heights Park, including considerations around topography, accessibility, and forest and invasive species management
  2. The condition of the berm between Lynn Valley Road and Tempe Heights Park
  3. Intersection analysis and design options for safely crossing both Lonsdale and Westview Drive
  4. Neighbourhood level traffic calming opportunities to reduce speeding and shortcutting while maintaining local access

The results of these investigations will be used to confirm the preferred route and develop the concept design for the Upper Levels Greenway. The community will have an opportunity to review the concept and provide feedback in early 2023.

This engagement is now closed. You can review submitted questions below.
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    Will you be installing at least one sidewalk on St. Georges and St Andrews from 29th down to 25th for safety? Many cars uWalking access north of Hwy 1 to the new Rec Centre, shopping and City Hall area south of Hwy 1 really needs to improve safety. Connecting to NVD bike path on 29th over a new overpass to the Green Necklace would be great to provide a safe route over Hwy 1.....Please!!!

    LGW asked almost 2 years ago

    Thank you for your suggestions. This project will be considering opportunities for sidewalk infill throughout the neighbourhoods to improve connections in and around the main greenway route and to surrounding destinations.

    The City is in ongoing conversations with the Province about opportunities for an additional highway overpass east of Lonsdale. The greenway route selected will not preclude a tie in to another overpass if that separate project advances. The City will be looking to improve connections to the Jones overpass and is in discussion with the District of North Vancouver about making a connection to the new Casano-Loutet overpass that will begin construction soon. You can learn more about that new overpass project here https://www.cnv.org/property-and-development/projects-and-developments/major-studies-and-projects/casano-loutet-overpass

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    If one of the stated goals of the project is “an opportunity to link existing parks and open spaces with schools, commercial areas, amenities, and destinations” then why do all the available routes avoid going anywhere near Boundary School, or in the direction of Argyle? These are the catchment elementary and high schools for half of the area the proposed greenway is supposed to serve. Providing safe rolling access to school for students would also reduce traffic in the area and improve the experience of all local residents. Why is there no connection to the separated bike path along 29th that leads to Lynn Valley Centre and part way to Argyle School? It seems that since the destinations lie in the District of North Vancouver instead of the city they have been overlooked, but these are important destinations for most City residents north of the highway.

    Tempe Mike asked almost 2 years ago

    The City project team is in communication with our colleagues at the District regarding how our active mobility networks can integrate with and complement each other. This greenway work is focused on routes south of the CNV/DNV boundary to infill the mobility network in these neighbourhoods that are missing key infrastructure such as sidewalks and safe cycle routes.

    The Upper Levels Greenway project will be considering additional opportunities for improved north south connections in key locations. Your comment about a clear connection to the 29th Street route has been noted as one of these considerations.

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    Why do all of the routes end on the same small patch of Lynn Valley Road? If the idea is to connect to the Casano-Loutet overpass then it requires crossing Lynn Valley Road - the options for crossing there are terrible and unsafe (another pedestrian was hit by a car trying to cross Lynn Valley Road here recently). Crossing LV Rd requires crossing the highway on-ramp first negating any reason people would have to go to the overpass. If the City and District are going to change the crossing then that project will be WAY more controversial than any greenway route and should be decided first (since this is a traffic chokepoint for the whole of Lynn Valley) .

    Tempe Mike asked almost 2 years ago

    Thank you for your suggestion and desire to see safety improvements in this location. The Lynn Valley Road intersection is under review by the Province to complete safety and operational improvements. The City project team is in communication with our colleagues in the District about how a pathway will navigate District land toward the new Casano-Loutet Overpass. These improvements will be complementary parallel works separate from this greenway design process.

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    I would like to know the reason for the Blue route jogging one block north to 27th Street at Jones Avenue instead of continuing along 26th for those few blocks. In my experience (I have owned a home in the area since 1985) 26th is a much quieter street for vehicle traffic.

    Pat McKenzie asked almost 2 years ago

    Thank you for the suggestion. Part of the challenge with the 26th Street section west of Lonsdale is one of the blocks does not connect through. The blue route was shown to go north to connect with Holy Trinity at this location to serve the school and get around the disconnected block. All feedback of this nature will be used to inform how the final route is assembled.

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    We live in the area and did not hear about the project until we received the mailing in the first week of May 2022. Also, could you please confirm that an introductory meeting was held on May 10/22 at Larson elementary? How did you advise the residents from the area? Are you planning to hold additional meetings for the residents?

    Greenway asked almost 2 years ago

    The City mailed postcards to every residential and commercial address in the neighbourhoods north of the highway. Signs have been placed throughout the community targeting people both walking, cycling, and driving and we have been handing out postcards on the street a various points in time through this engagement period. We are regularly sending out information through our CityView newsletter and on our various social media channels. You can sign up for the CityView newsletter at https://www.cnv.org/your-government/news-room/city-view-e-newsletter-subscription

    We hosted the Open House at Larson school from 3-8pm on May 10. We also hosted a table at CityFest on May 7 from 11am-3pm. On May 14, from 11am-1pm, we will be setting up a pop-up tent on Grand Boulevard. You are welcome to come by and discuss the project with us there.

    You can see a record of how we engaged with the community in February in the Phase 1 Engagement Summary Report listed on the right sidebar of Let's Talk.

    By completing the survey here on Let's Talk you will also be included in all future email communications as the project moves through the process.

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    I just reviewed the various questions and answers below. When residents asked about loss of parking you mentioned parking surveys. The last time you did parking surveys for the 29th bike route, the surveys were conducted during the day. When you do a parking survey I would hope you would do it after 8pm when most people are at home so you see how little parking there is. Many houses have basement suites. There are often 3 cars parked per house. Not to mention the new condos on Lonsdale and 5 new homes on 28th. Parking is becoming an issue. Losing parking would be devastating and wrong. There are young families and seniors in this neighborhood they need to be able to park in front of their homes.

    Rita asked almost 2 years ago

    Thank you for the feedback on previous parking studies. We have conducted counts through 6 different time periods, including capturing overnight parking use. These details will be available as we report out on the analysis through the process.

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    Is 27th st W could be a first choice route of this project? How about 25th or 26 th st those streets have a wider street and less demands for parking? When would be the project begin?

    Emilio asked almost 2 years ago

    As noted in the survey materials, there is no clear "best" option for the Upper Levels Greenway route. The feedback received during this round of engagement will help us select the preferred route and begin developing the design for the corridor.

    The construction schedule for the project is not yet confirmed and will depend on the complexity and cost of the final design. The goal is to have a design for the project for early 2023 to inform construction decisions.

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    Why are you squeezing a bike lane on 27 th street?? It doesn’t make sense it’s the narrowest road above the highway. Wouldn’t 26,25 th be a Better solution as these roads are wider plus these have extra wide sidewalks?? Who comes up with these ridiculous decisions! Obviously people who don’t live on that street others wise this wouldn’t even be an option. You have done everything in the book in regards to moody street. Speed bumps, stop signs in ever intersection. Why not on 27th. We have two schools. One at the beginning and one at the end of 27 th street. Make it a walking only zone. Except for people who live on the street who are considered about all the young children living on our street. Can you find a better solution than making our street even smaller than it is?

    Brig asked almost 2 years ago

    Thank you for your feedback on the 27th Street sections of the various routes. The purpose of this engagement period is to gather input on the options so we can inform a route that will work for the community. No decision has been made about where the greenway will travel yet. 

    This is one of the initial options because it helps provide direct links to the schools in the area and there is interest in providing safe travel options to these destinations. We have also received feedback requesting traffic calming and sidewalk improvements throughout the neighbourhood, including 27th Street. These improvements will still be considered even if the official greenway route travels along a different street.

    The Upper Levels Greenway is more than a bike lane project. It is a full active mobility project looking at all the safety, accessibility, and connection opportunities for people of all ages travelling by all modes.

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    Would this project affect our parking areas on the street at 27 th st W

    Emilio asked almost 2 years ago

    In order to provide safe and accessible mobility space there may need to be adjustments to how parking is designed and accommodated. This would be something the design process will examine regardless of where the greenway travels. Various considerations such as the width of the street, parking demand, and safety requirements will inform how these elements will be integrated together.

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    Why is an upper levels greenway needed? Why not use 29th Street which is an easy cross road, and by doing that you'd reduce the heavy traffic flow of people not using Hwy1.

    Bruce A asked almost 2 years ago

    The Upper Levels Greenway is one element of the evolving City and North Shore active mobility network. The greenway project will provide closer access and more direct connections to safe north-south crossing points of the highway. The project is also an opportunity to provide more investment in park and green space in these neighbourhoods. The City aims to meet a range of transportation, safety, accessibility, and parks goals beyond what utilizing the existing transportation focused infrastructure on 29th Street allows for.

Page last updated: 25 Jan 2024, 01:33 PM