North Central Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) improvements

The project team hosted three public information sessions in April 2023 to share details on the construction plans and timelines.

Resources from these sessions are available below:

• Presentation video (virtual session)

As part of the Green Line LRT project, The City conducted the North Central Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) functional planning study from 2020 to 2021, resulting in recommendations for short-, medium-, and long-term improvements. The proposed North Central BRT improvements will link the investments that The City is making with Green Line to provide improved connections to north central communities and support the future transition to LRT along the corridor, which runs from Downtown along Centre Street up to Harvest Hills Boulevard N.E., and continues through to 160 Avenue N.E.

These improvements will:

• provide shorter transit travel times
• increase reliability
• enhance comfort and convenience
• improve accessibility
• improve walking and wheeling amenities

With Green Line Committee approval of the study recommendations in May 2021, work on implementing the recommendations will begin to move forward in 2022.

Centre Street South Public Realm improvements

In coordination with the North Central BRT study and Tomorrow’s Chinatown, we are exploring public realm improvements for Centre Street South from the Riverfront Avenue to 4 Avenue South.

The first phase of this project included working with the community to identify areas of concern and opportunity for potential public realm improvements and pedestrian safety along Centre Street South. The analysis is focused on the North Central BRT Study to ensure that any infrastructure or stations that are proposed are integrated to promote the public realm and do not prevent any potential future improvements.

In spring 2021, two rounds of virtual public engagement were held to inform phase 1 of the project. Based on feedback received during engagement, the project team has developed preliminary design concepts and recommendations for consideration in future stages of the project. Click here to view the final report.

Phase 2 of the project will develop the concepts from phase 1 and complete a comprehensive streetscape master plan. Currently, there is no anticipated timeline for phase 2 of this project. This work will be completed as funding and resourcing for improvements become available.

During engagement held from October 2020 – March 2021, we heard a desire for more reliable bus service, interest in reducing congestion for transit vehicles and cars, and the need to balance providing on-street parking and accommodating traffic during peak travel hours. This feedback along with technical analysis has been used to further develop the opportunities identified for the North Central BRT into short-, medium- and long-term improvements.

View the Phase 2: North Central Mobility & BRT Studies What We Heard Report

• Engineering design: Fall 2022 – Winter 2023 
• Tender and award construction contract: Winter 2023
• Begin construction: Spring 2024
• Construction substantially complete: Summer 2025

Please note: Construction activities are dependent on several factors. Timelines could change due to inclement weather, underground conditions and/or other unexpected circumstances. Schedule updates will be provided regularly.

$50 million (includes all short and medium-term projects)

Funding has been provided through the Green Line LRT project.

• Green Line LRT project