The City of New Westminster boasts a scenic quay, boardwalk, and park along the Fraser River that attracts locals and tourists. The City sought to create an aesthetically appealing and innovative pedestrian bridge to enhance accessibility to the eastern end of the Westminster Pier Park from the downtown area. Built in 2012, the linear park only had one point of access – through a parking lot at its western end.
The City retained Associated Engineering as lead consultant to provide engineering and architectural services for the design and construction of the Fourth Street Pedestrian Overpass. The overpass crosses from the Front Street Parkade in downtown New Westminster, over Front Street, a very busy truck route, and over several railway lines.
The 34 metre long pedestrian bridge includes a 26 metre cantilevered overpass and an 8 metre by 8 metre viewing platform, with an elevator and stairs down to the Westminster Pier Park, and provision for a future ramp.