St. Johns Street Redesign Project

We are working to make St. Johns Street a more comfortable and convenient place for people to walk, cycle, and access transit.

Project details

During public engagement for the Master Transportation Plan (MTP) in 2017, our community indicated that it was not easy to walk, cycle, or access transit along sections of St. Johns Street. The strategies and actions of the MTP identified the need to widen the sidewalk, install traffic signals to provide safe and accessible locations for pedestrians to cross the road, and implement bicycle amenities that appeal to people of all ages and abilities.

The MTP also identified that the existing High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane westbound on St. Johns Street is under-utilized. The recommendation from the MTP is to remove the HOV lane and repurpose the street space for on-street parking, protected on-street or off-street bicycle paths, intersection safety improvements, curb extensions, landscaping, bus stops, and accessibility improvements. 

This project has received co-funding from TransLink’s Multi-Use Pathway Infrastructure Program and the Bus Speed and Reliability Program. As well as the B.C. Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program and ICBC 2023 Road Improvement Program.

To achieve the recommendations of the MTP, the redesign project was split into two phases. The first phase, encompassing the west section of the street from Albert Street to Moody Street, focused on the construction of a new multi-use path.

The second phase, stretching from Moody Street to Ioco Road, will include repurposing the space of the westbound HOV lane for active transportation. Construction of this second phase is anticipated to be tied in with development and new construction along the corridor. Phase two will also review and make recommendations on traffic flow concerns during the eastbound rush hour. This includes:

• St. Johns Street at Moray Street
• St. Johns Street at Dewdney Trunk Road
• St. Johns Street at Ioco Road

Phase 1 - (completed)

Construction began in the summer of 2023 and brought many improvements to the south side of St. Johns Street. The project created a safer and more comfortable space for everyone by adding separated bike lanes from Kyle Street to Grant Street and upgrading the sidewalks.

Crews reshaped the area, built retaining walls and curb extensions, and installed electrical conduits, upgraded streetlights, and built new streetlight bases for improved lighting. A new multi-use path now connects key destinations, and fresh landscaping—including trees and rain gardens—adds greenery while helping manage rainwater.

Accessibility upgrades, raised crosswalks, and green-painted markings make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to get around. Updated traffic signals and signal timing plans have also improved traffic flow. The work wrapped up with tree health checks and final finishing touches along St. Johns Street between Moody and Albert streets and along Moody Street from Clarke to St. Johns.

Results from public engagement

City staff presented a report, including a public engagement summary and project recommendations, at the June 28, 2022 Council meeting. The public was asked to rank various amenities in order of their importance and the feedback showed a preference for having separate facilities for cyclists and pedestrians whenever possible. The community also considered the trees, landscaping, lighting, and green infrastructure as the most important elements of the project.

Phase 2

Phase 2, which runs from Moody Street to Ioco Road, is still in the planning stage. It will focus on repurposing a lane for active transportation—either the westbound HOV lane or the eastbound parking lane, depending on the outcome of the traffic analysis. The phase also aims to address traffic flow concerns at key intersections such as Moray Street, Dewdney Trunk Road, and Ioco Road, and to coordinate the work with future development planned along the corridor.

Contact

Engineering
604.469.4619