The Editor:
Re: Ankle broken as transit bus hits pedestrian in Burnaby: police (Jan. 3, 2025)
The tragic Jan. 2 crash on Central Boulevard near Metrotown SkyTrain Station, which left a man fighting for his life, is an urgent reminder of a long-standing and unresolved issue. The lack of a safe and direct pedestrian connection between the SkyTrain station and Metrotown mall is not only an inconvenience but a serious public safety hazard.
For years, Burnaby, TransLink, and Metropolis at Metrotown have failed to rebuild the pedestrian overpass that was closed off in 2018.
This vital connection remains unaddressed due to ongoing disputes over funding and responsibility, but the need for a safe passage has never been clearer. This latest tragedy could have been prevented if the infrastructure that was promised years ago had been in place.
Funding for a new overpass was allocated in 2019, but here we are in 2025 with no progress to show.
While the stakeholders debate whose job it is to rebuild the overpass, pedestrians are forced to navigate busy streets with heavy vehicle traffic, putting lives at risk.
Central Boulevard is not designed to accommodate the volume of pedestrian traffic that flows between the station and the mall, and the consequences of this failure are now tragically evident.
This is not a new concern. Advocacy groups and community members have repeatedly highlighted the need for a safe pedestrian route, yet the inaction persists. The City of Burnaby, TransLink, and Metrotown mall management must set aside their disagreements and prioritize public safety.
The cost of delay is measured not just in dollars, but in human lives.
The responsible parties must stop passing the buck and rebuild the overpass without additional delay. Thousands of people make this journey daily; they deserve better than dangerous crossings and broken promises.
Let’s not wait for another tragedy to spur action. Build the overpass now.
- Rhiannon Fox, Vancouver
Volunteer, Vision Zero Vancouver
