Checkerboard Crosswalks Coquitlam: TrafficPatterns at Lougheed Holly & Orchid

Phase one of Coquitlam's decorative crosswalk program: two new checkerboard crosswalks at Lougheed Holly and Lougheed Orchid intersections, installed using TrafficPatterns preformed thermoplastic.

The checkerboard pattern is one of the most recognisable crosswalk designs in Canadian municipal use — high-contrast, legible from distance, and clearly communicating to drivers that a pedestrian crossing is present. When it's installed in thermoplastic rather than paint, it delivers that visibility for years rather than months.

Why Checkerboard

There's a reason the checkerboard has stayed in circulation as a crosswalk design: the alternating black and white pattern creates a stronger visual signal than a solid-colour or standard white-stripe crosswalk. At the approach speeds typical of Lougheed-area intersections, drivers register the pattern early — which is exactly what a crosswalk is supposed to accomplish.

The TrafficPatterns installation achieves precise geometric alignment across the full width of the crossing. Each black and white square has to be consistent in size and registration — any drift reads immediately because the pattern reveals it. We work from CAD-referenced layouts to ensure the geometry is correct before the crew touches the asphalt.

Phase One of a Program

This install was designated as phase one — an indication that the City of Coquitlam was committing to a broader program of decorative crosswalk improvements rather than a single feature installation. This is the model we prefer to work within: a municipality that treats crosswalk quality as an ongoing standard rather than a one-off upgrade.

Phase programs allow for consistent product and installation quality across intersections, shared learning from each install, and predictable budgeting over multiple years.

For municipalities developing a multi-intersection crosswalk improvement program, contact us to discuss a phased approach.