Published: October 17th, 2025
McElhanney is proud to share that the Phibbs Transit Exchange in North Vancouver, BC has received an Award of Excellence (Transportation Category) at the 2025 Canadian Consulting Engineering (CCE) Awards!
Presented annually, the CCE Awards highlight engineering excellence and projects that deliver lasting community impact. This recognition celebrates McElhanney’s redesign of the North Shore’s busiest transit hub – serving 18 bus routes and 15,700 daily riders – transforming it into a safer, more efficient, and more welcoming space.
For years, Phibbs Exchange was a bottleneck. Tucked inside the Highway 1 Main Street / Dollarton interchange, the transit hub couldn’t keep pace with growing demand. Redesigning the space meant more than adding capacity: the project also had to improve safety, integrate with cycling and pedestrian networks, and remain open throughout construction.
These challenges defined the project. Over 18 months, McElhanney – together with our partners PFS Studio, PBX Engineering, Thurber Engineering, and Public Architecture – kept buses moving through a carefully staged plan while reorienting the exchange to an east–west design with multiple boarding areas and clear pedestrian crossings. The adjacent Highway 1 off-ramp also stayed open throughout: a true feat of planning and coordination.
The result is a space built for people. Riders now benefit from expanded shelters, brighter lighting, intuitive wayfinding, and new bike facilities. Public washrooms and a small retail space add comfort and convenience. Landscaping with native species and artwork created by Indigenous artists connect the exchange to its surroundings. Beneath it all, a climate-ready drainage system protects the Seymour River and prepares for heavier rainfall.
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 District of North Vancouver
“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. 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.” – District of North Vancouver resident and transit user
This achievement was possible thanks to the trust and collaboration of the BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit, TransLink, and the District of North Vancouver, as well as the expertise of our partners. We’re also grateful to Canadian Consulting Engineer for this recognition and congratulate all this year’s award winners!