Richmond's Public Works Committee reviews speed zone expansion and three road contracts on November 18

Richmond's Public Works and Transportation Committee meets on Wednesday, November 18 at 4:00 pm at City Hall to consider four items affecting roads, signals and EV charging infrastructure across the city. The highest-profile item is a further expansion of 30 km/h speed zones, building on a program the City's own news release put at 500 kilometres of local residential roads.

The meeting is in the Anderson Room at 6911 No. 3 Road and runs in an electronic format as well.

The 30 km/h expansion

The committee will consider a staff report titled "Proposed Expansion of 30 km/h Roads" under file reference 10-6500-01. Sonali Hingorani is the designated speaker. The recommendation is to approve the proposed expansion and direct staff to bring forward bylaw amendments for the affected streets.

The specific streets that would change are set out in the full staff report, which is linked from the agenda page at citycouncil.richmond.ca.

This item continues a program that began earlier in 2026. The City adopted Amendment Bylaw No. 10750 on June 8, 2026, reducing speed limits on local residential roads across 50 neighbourhoods. The City's July 15 news release put the size of that first rollout at 500 kilometres of roadway. Areas that already have 30 km/h zones include Hamilton, Steveston, Burkeville, the Barnes and Flury area, and the Princess and London area. Arterial roads such as Westminster Highway, Granville Avenue and River Road remain at 50 km/h under that bylaw.

If the committee approves the expansion and Council passes the bylaw amendments, the new streets join the existing network of posted 30 km/h zones. Speed limits become enforceable once signs are installed on a given street.

The City's stated reason for the lower residential limits is to create safer, calmer neighbourhood streets, with a focus on pedestrians, cyclists and commuters near schools.

This item directly touches promises made in the October 2026 election. Mayor Rob Howard campaigned on improving traffic flow as part of his Richmond Forward team's safety pillar. Councillor Gary Law listed safer intersections and pedestrian areas as one of his five priorities, along with better traffic flow on busy corridors and a stronger review of the traffic added by new development. Councillor Sheldon Starrett also committed to delivering pragmatic transit solutions and to transportation solutions that move people safely in and out of Richmond, by his Advance Richmond page. None of them has yet recorded any action on those transport commitments in the promise tracker. A council decision on the expansion would be the first step toward a record of progress on those pledges.

EV charging infrastructure

The committee is being asked to extend Contract 6503P with Foreseeson Technology Inc., which covers EV charging infrastructure at City-owned properties. The original contract is already in place. The extension would run through January 17, 2030, adding $5,952,655 to the contract value, for a new maximum total of $9,749,640. Owen Sinclair is the designated speaker on this item.

The contract supports charging stations at City facilities used by residents and City staff. No new station locations are listed in the agenda; the full staff report under file 03-1000-20-6503 sets out the details of the extension.

Road salt supply

Winter road maintenance on Richmond's local streets and arterials requires a supply of bulk road salt. The committee is being asked to award Contract 8582Q to Mainroad Maintenance Products LP for a two-year period starting December 1, 2026. The estimated value for those two years is $854,550. The committee is also being asked to authorize a one-year extension option, which would bring the maximum total contract value to $1,281,825. Brandon Olson is the designated speaker. The report is under file 10-6000-01.

Traffic signals

Richmond's traffic signal network covers intersections throughout the city and requires ongoing maintenance. The committee is being asked to award Contract 8599P to Cobra Electric Services Limited for maintenance, upgrading and installation of traffic signal systems. The three-year contract is valued at $9,643,260.30. The committee is also being asked to authorize an extension to a maximum five-year term. Lloyd Bie is the designated speaker on this item. The report is under file 02-0775-50-8599.

What comes next

The committee's decisions are recommendations to City Council unless a matter falls within its own delegated authority. Items approved on November 18 would typically appear on a subsequent council agenda for final approval. For the 30 km/h expansion, approval at committee would direct staff to draft bylaw amendments, which then go through Council for introduction and final adoption.

The next PWT committee meeting after November 18 is tentatively scheduled for December 9, 2026 at 4:00 pm.

Richmond residents who want to attend can do so in person at the Anderson Room, Richmond City Hall, 6911 No. 3 Road, or through the electronic format. To speak to an agenda item, contact the City's Legislative Services before the meeting. The City's main number is 604-276-4000. The full staff reports for all four items are linked from the agenda at citycouncil.richmond.ca.