The recent launch of B.C.’s inaugural Costco Business Centre in New Westminster has reignited longstanding worries about traffic flow on the Queensborough Bridge and surrounding routes. The store’s debut caused significant congestion last weekend, with some drivers stuck in gridlock for over an hour. Situated near Boyd Street and Howes Street in the Queensborough neighborhood, the new 146,000 square-foot facility attracted large crowds.
This new Costco Business Centre offers a variety of commercial-grade products not typically found in regular Costco stores. Despite a slight decrease in traffic since the opening weekend, Mayor Patrick Johnstone acknowledged the challenges faced by shoppers, emphasizing the underlying strain on infrastructure.
The city had prepared a traffic management strategy for the grand opening, with both Costco employees and New Westminster Police aiding in on-site traffic control. However, the turnout exceeded expectations, leading to prolonged delays for residents. Kane Tse, President of the Queensborough Residents Association, highlighted concerns raised by residents regarding traffic issues and the impact of the new store on various aspects of daily life.
With New Westminster poised to be the fastest-growing city in Metro Vancouver, the arrival of Costco has underscored existing traffic issues rather than creating new ones. Mayor Johnstone mentioned ongoing collaboration with the province to explore solutions such as road enhancements, additional ramps, and dedicated local traffic lanes. Any modifications around the Queensborough Bridge will require provincial authorization.
The B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit acknowledged the traffic congestion, mentioning that the City of New Westminster independently approved the establishment and traffic plan for the Costco Business Centre. The ministry’s traffic engineers are actively monitoring the situation and collaborating with the city and Costco to fine-tune traffic management plans and consider further mitigation measures.
The traffic challenges in New Westminster mirror similar concerns in South Surrey, where objections have arisen over a forthcoming Costco warehouse due to fears of increased traffic in a primarily residential area.