Point Grey project almost complete
Traffic-calming project behind schedule, but is also coming in under budget
The Point Grey Seaside Greenway project, which created a controversy when the city broke ground on Phase 2 of the traffic-calmed bike and pedestrian route, is almost complete.
And, despite being a few months behind schedule, the city says it’s coming in under budget.
The project drew criticism before construction began last September, from taxpayers questioning the value of the $6.4-million price tag for more bike lane-related roadwork, and from the street’s waterfront homeowners upset the city was claiming back land it owns as part of a road allowance.
Roadwork was slated to finish in May, but as of earlier this month, it was about “90 per cent complete,” with sidewalk and paving construction set to be concluded in the coming weeks, according to information provided by the city’s engineering department.
Planting is planned for the cooler fall months to come.
One of the project’s goals — according to an April 2016 staff report to council — was to make the roadway “an even safer and more pleasurable place” to cycle.
But it seems the area’s popularity with cyclists may have contributed to delays in the project: one reason cited for the project taking “longer than expected,” according to an emailed statement this month from a City of Vancouver engineering department spokeswoman, was “cyclists cutting through active construction areas despite extensive detour signage.”
According to the city, the project is set to come in under budget, with the cost estimate pegged at $5.8 million, which is $600,000 less than the $6.4-million projected cost when it was approved by council in May 2016.
City staff were not available Friday to speak about the Point Grey Seaside Greenway.
Point Grey Road is home to some of Vancouver’s wealthiest residents and has been called the city’s “Golden Mile.” Over the last several decades, some longtime residents on the north side of the road have planted hedges and built gates and walls on the streetside of their properties, encroaching on land that was technically owned by the city.
Much of that city-owned land was cleared to improve the roadway for pedestrians and cyclists.
Dana Estrin has lived in a home on the north side of Point Grey Road since 1962.
“Because of our front yard being chopped up, I probably would have preferred not to have the whole project go through, but now that it’s done, it’s an improvement,” Estrin said on Friday. “It’s all brand new.”
The city workers appeared to have been working hard, Estrin said, and although it’s a bit more difficult to back out of her driveway now, she believes the roadway will be a safe, pleasant place for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers.
The work is the second segment of a two-phase project.
The first phase, which was approved by council in 2013 and completed in 2014, was also met with considerable controversy, including neighbourhood protests when Point Grey Road was closed to through traffic between MacDonald and Alma streets.