Neighbourhood

After years of planning, community consultation, and a spectacular overnight installation, the city’s first-ever pedestrian and cyclist overpass across a major highway is ready for its first walkers, runners, and cyclists.

Burnaby is marking a significant milestone in its history of public infrastructure. On Monday, April 27, the Burnaby Lake Overpass will officially open to the public, giving pedestrians and cyclists a safe, dedicated crossing over Highway 1 for the very first time. It is not only the first overpass of its kind in Burnaby — crossings of major freeways on this scale are rare across British Columbia, and uncommon in Canada as a whole.

The opening brings to a close a years-long journey that began with planning in 2019, moved through public consultation in 2022, and broke ground in the fall of 2023. The result is a bridge that connects two of Burnaby’s most beloved natural areas, Burnaby Lake to the north and Deer Lake to the south, across one of the most heavily trafficked corridors in the region.

A night Burnaby residents won’t forget

On the evening of November 8 into the early hours of November 9, 2025, something extraordinary happened along the Highway 1 corridor. A fully assembled, 400-tonne steel bridge was lifted off the ground by two computer-controlled platforms and rotated 90 degrees into its final position spanning the highway below. The entire operation was carried out with remarkable precision, and it drew an audience of hundreds of residents who gathered in the darkness to witness the moment. Some stayed until 5 a.m.

The bridge is built from Canadian weathered steel, a durable material engineered for long-term outdoor exposure. It rises 5.7 metres above the highway surface, meeting its southern landing at the intersection of Claude Avenue and McCarthy Court, and its northern end at the trailhead at Glencarin Drive.

Closing a long-standing safety gap

For decades, pedestrians and cyclists moving north-south through Burnaby had little choice but to use the Kensington crossing, an intersection widely regarded as one of the most hazardous points along the entire Highway 1 corridor. With multiple lanes, on-ramps, and fast-moving traffic converging at a single point, it was an intimidating and genuinely dangerous place to cross, particularly for families with children, seniors, and anyone using a wheelchair, stroller, or bicycle.

The Burnaby Lake Overpass changes that reality. It provides a safe, direct north-south alternative entirely separated from vehicle traffic. Safety considerations were woven into the design from the beginning: careful attention was paid to sightlines, lighting, and the overall openness of the structure to create a space that feels welcoming at all hours. Handrail-integrated lighting defines the route after dark without spilling unwanted light onto the highway below. Secure hanger cables and protective netting add an additional layer of safety while preserving visibility and an open feel.

The project directly supports the goal, adopted by City Council in Burnaby’s 2021 Transportation Plan, of reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 100 per cent. By removing pedestrian and cyclist traffic from complex mixed crossings, the overpass also eases congestion at intersections like Kensington, benefiting drivers and transit riders alike.

Designed for everyone

Accessibility was a central consideration throughout every stage of the project. One of the most practical design advantages of the chosen location is that the ground on both sides of Highway 1 is naturally elevated, which means the overpass can maintain a nearly flat grade from end to end. There are no long ramp approaches, no steep climbs. The trails and connections at both landings were designed with gentle slopes, making the crossing genuinely comfortable for people using mobility aids, strollers, and bikes, as well as anyone who finds inclines difficult.

This is not a crossing designed only for fit, young cyclists. It is a shared space intended to serve the full range of Burnaby residents, and the design reflects that intention clearly.

Connecting the city’s green heart

Beyond safety, the overpass does something meaningful for Burnaby’s broader identity. By linking Burnaby Lake and Deer Lake, it creates a north-south active transportation corridor through two of the city’s most treasured natural areas. For residents who live on either side of the highway, access to parks, trails, community facilities, schools, and local businesses becomes noticeably easier without requiring a car or a bus.

The connection also unlocks access to the new Olympic-sized swimming pool currently under construction at Burnaby Lake, a facility that will draw visitors from across the region. As more people discover the overpass and the routes it opens up, its value to the community will only grow over time.

In a broader sense, the project supports Burnaby’s climate and transportation targets, including a goal for three-quarters of all trips in the city to be made by public transit or active transportation. Short trips that no longer require a vehicle free up road and transit capacity for everyone else. Safe, reliable connections also strengthen the commercial areas on both sides of the highway and make the city more attractive to employers and visitors.

From idea to reality: a project timeline

Funding: built without a tax increase

The project was funded through a combination of municipal reserves and senior government grants. No tax increase was required.

The Community Benefit Bonus Reserve Fund is a dedicated capital fund, kept entirely separate from the city’s day-to-day operating budget. It cannot be used for routine services or to reduce taxes. It exists specifically for projects that deliver lasting community benefit: parks, affordable housing, public facilities, and infrastructure of exactly this kind. Using it for the Burnaby Lake Overpass is precisely what the fund was designed for.

The Burnaby Lake Overpass opens Monday, April 27. Whether you are planning your first walk across, cycling through to Deer Lake, or simply want to see this remarkable structure up close, the crossing connects at Claude Avenue and McCarthy Court to the south, and Glencarin Drive to the north.