Not only is it dangerous, it's deadly

I have sad news as a follow-up to my previous post regarding the need to create pedestrian-friendly spaces. On Monday, March 3rd, a 25-year old man from Coquitlam was killed around midnight while walking along the highway just blocks from where the picture in my previous post was taken. Details can be found from the RCMP media centre here.

In response to this news, and as a follow-up to my previous article, I contacted the Golden Ears Bridge Project Office, to see what pedestrian-access improvements were coming as part of my local neighborhood's experience of the Gateway Project. I just got a response from them two hours ago. They write:

Dear Mr. Mantel,

The Golden Crossing Constructors Joint Venture is managing construction for the Golden Ears Bridge project. I have checked this question with the construction team.

There is no provision in the project design concept for improved pedestrian facilities on Lougheed Highway, and there is no pedestrian walkway provided on the Abernethy Connector or the Lougheed Interchange.

I regret that I could not be more helpful in this case.

I'll follow up with the Pitt Meadows city planning. This is exactly the type of car-centric 20th-century urban planning which leads to fractured suburban island communities.