THE CORPORATION. OF THE CITY OF PORT COQUITLAM

Upon completion of the Hastings. Junior Secondary
School and the setting of the boundaries for the school, the
undersigned was directed ‘to look at a pedestrian crossing of
. the Coquitlam River. Preliminary surveys were carried out on
a proposed Patricia Avenue alignment and a proposed Lincoln
Avenue alignment (see attached plan 211-76) and it was sub-
sequently reported that the cost of such a bridge would probably
be in excess of $100,000. More recently, we have obtained
from the Department of Highways the information that the -ped-
estrian crossing of the Lougheed Highway south of the C.P. Rail
underpass cost approximately, $130,000, ,

In considering the need for a pedestrian bridge across
the Coquitlam River north of the Lougheed Highway, the following
factors should be taken into consideration:

1. Some students attending Mary Hill Junior Secondary
School are required to travel a distance of approximately 1.5
miles. Some students attending George Pearkes Junior’ Secondary
School are required to travel a distance in excess of 2°miles.
The above maximum distances are comparable to the maximun dis-
tance that students attending. Hastings Junior Secondary School
are required to travel via the Lougheed Highway Bridge across
the Coquitlam River.

‘ "2, The construction of a pedestrian bridge in the
Patricia - Lincoln area will probably not stop children (and
adults) from crossing the river, and playing and fishing in
the river, and as long as these activities are carried out in
the river, future drownings are a possibility.

3. A pedestrian bridge in the Patricia ‘- Lincoln area
will necessitate the clearing of several hundred feet of
approaches on each side of the bridge through thick brush and
timber. Even with a substantial width of Clearing and possibly
the installation of lighting, a safety problem can be anticipated. _

4. Notwithstanding the above factors, a good case can
be made for providing additional access across the river north .
of the highway to mutually serve and benefit Port Coquitlam
residents on both the east and.west sides of the river.

With respect to item 4 above, it is the opinion of the
undersigned that a bridge constructed probably on the Lincoln
Avenue alignment for both vehicles and pedestrians will become
increasingly necessary, desirable, and beneficial to most of
the residents north of the Lougheed Highway.

J Beace