Phibbs Transit Exchange Improvements

2017-2021 (Functional & Detailed Design); 2022-2024 (Tender & Construction) | North Vancouver, BC

The upgraded Phibbs Transit Exchange is now home to 13 bus bays supporting 13 bus routes to and from the North Shore. Buses flowing in and out of this exchange transport 5,000 users on average each day. Design upgrades to the exchange increased capacity; enhanced passenger facilities and shelters; improved wayfinding, safety, and lighting; strengthened integration with the adjacent community; and connected seamlessly to pedestrian and cycling networks. In addition, the access road realignment and intersection improvements maximized functionality of the exchange and the surrounding street network, and tied in to adjacent Highway 1 / Dollarton Interchange ramp reconfigurations (by others), as well as the R2 RapidBus service that was introduced just prior to the construction stage.

Interested party management and coordination proved to be a key component to successfully delivering this project. Before managing the detailed design to construction stages led under the BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit (the Ministry), McElhanney had managed the concept design confirmation and preliminary design stages under TransLink-led projects. There was ongoing collaboration with the Ministry, TransLink, the District of North Vancouver (DNV), and Coast Mountain Bus Company throughout the project.

Managing the stormwater within the exchange required multifaceted solutions given the extent of adjacent development since the 2014 preliminary design stage. To address the stormwater challenges, our team incorporated green infrastructure—such as tree cells, vegetated swales, rain gardens, and infiltration trenches—in addition to an underground conveyance system. Additionally, our design included customized catchbasins and receptors to protect the downstream environment from oil and grease, and possible bus fuel tank ruptures from the exchange.

Project partners included PFS Studio (Landscape Architecture), PBX Engineering (Electrical), Thurber Engineering (Geotechnical), Public Architecture (Architecture & Structural), and Millennia Research (Archaeological).

Both those involved in the project and those who use the exchange shared their reflections:

“Leading the design charrette focused on reimagining Phibbs Exchange was a formative experience. The challenges we faced—integrating transit, pedestrian and cycling pathways, and addressing stormwater management—were significant, but the outcome is an awesome testament to the collective efforts of everyone. I was proud to see the Phibbs Exchange not only achieve its functional objectives, but also become a uniquely beautiful space!” – Tegan Smith, previously with the DNV

“As a lifelong public transit user, I am writing to express my appreciation for the new Phibbs Exchange. It’s well designed and easy to find bus stops due to the visible site map. Crosswalks are well-marked and guide people safely across bus driveways when in a hurry. Shelters are large enough to provide room for everyone during the rainy season and the landscaping is colourful and attractive. Once the trees grow bigger there will be more shade. I noticed there’s hardly any litter left behind on benches since the recycling and garbage cans are stationed in easily accessible areas. Lighting at night makes a person alone feel so much safer.” – DNV resident and transit user

McElhanney provided: