Richmond looking to restrict vehicles in Steveston for summer

RICHMOND (NEWS 1130) — The City of Richmond is considering a proposal for Steveston Village to limit vehicle traffic to help businesses bounce back from the pandemic.

Under the proposal, Moncton Street would become car-free between No. 1 Road and Third Avenue. A block each of Bayview Street, First and Third avenues would also be converted to one-way.

“Pedestrians would basically be in the middle of the road. The parking lanes would be taken out. There would be more room for cyclists,” said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie.

Businesses would also have room on sidewalks to expand, such as patios for restaurants, he added.

Brodie said the proposal was introduced to businesses Tuesday, and while the one-way-road suggestion was popular, most were against restricting vehicles on Moncton St.

“They wanted more circulation of the cars and they want the parking that’s readily available to park outside the various commercial establishments,” he added.

The mayor said the city is still gathering public opinion through an online survey and will re-examine the idea when a report is presented at a council meeting next week.

“Because of the COVID situation, we’ve been looking for ways in Richmond, as all the cities have been doing, to assist the merchants to provide a situation to where they can get back to viability that much quicker,” he said.

“If we can do something, we’ll do it quickly, It would only be for the duration of the summer.”