Granville Bridge project: What to know of detours, closures and timelines
If you've been in downtown Vancouver lately, you'll know there's a lot of change underway. And if you're used to taking Granville Street, you'll notice that much of the north end has been closed off to allow for construction.
Here's what to know about the Granville Bridge connector project, detours, closures and expected timelines.
WHAT IS THE GRANVILLE CONNECTOR PROJECT?
As part of a $50-million capital project, the Granville Street ramps that connect the north end of the bridge to Pacific Street (referred to by the city as the “north Granville loops”) are being removed and replaced with a standard street grid layout. Existing pedestrian crossings on the bridge will also be improved.
PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLING SAFETY
Two lanes on the west side of the bridge will be converted to protected lanes for walking, cycling and other forms of rolling transportation, similar to what's in place on the Burrard Bridge. Steps currently in place at crossing points will be replaced with ramps to allow for more stroller and wheelchair-friendly access.
New traffic signals, wayfinding signage and a car-free connection to the Arbutus Greenway at the south end of the bridge are also in the works.
NORTH LOOPS REMOVAL
The bridge and other downtown overpasses were initially designed to move high volumes of traffic into a freeway system that never came to fruition. The land where the loops currently sit are city-owned and a new elevated street network will allow for more housing to be built as well.
WHAT ARE THE DETOURS?
Vehicles: During construction, all cars driving on and off the north end of the bridge will be detoured to two lanes of traffic using the Howe and Seymour ramps.
At all times, two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction of the bridge.
The speed limit on the bridge deck has been lowered to 30 km/h to allow for construction to proceed safely.
Pedestrians and cyclists: Sidewalks will be kept open as much as possible. Sidewalk users can continue to walk along the Howe and Seymour street ramps, but be sure to watch for safety detours and signage.
Transit: While Granville Street (north of Pacific Street) is closed, buses will be detoured to Seymour and Howe streets before using Davie Street to rejoin the original bus route along Granville Street downtown.
The first downtown bus stop will be located on the southeast corner of Granville and Helmcken streets. The last bus stop leaving downtown will be at the southwest corner of Howe and Davie streets.
HOW LONG WILL CONSTRUCTION TAKE?
Work on the bridge began in winter 2023 and is expected to wrap up in fall 2024.
Work will take place Monday to Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some days will require extended hours of work until 8 p.m.
The project is part of the Transportation 2040 mission set forth by the city in 2012, which aims to improve walking and cycling facilities along the Granville Bridge. Public engagement was conducted in 2019, and a proposed design was shared in 2020.
In late 2021, the final design was confirmed and construction began in early 2023 to pave way for larger aspects of the project. In fall 2023, the north loops were removed.
WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO GET DOWNTOWN?
You'll still be able to drive into downtown Vancouver by the Granville Bridge and its detour ramps, but if you want to avoid the area completely, you can take the Burrard or Cambie bridges to enter the downtown core.
If you're coming from south of downtown, you can also take the Canada Line or SkyTrain toward Waterfront.
Fancy a trip by water? You can try the Aquabus or False Creek Ferries.
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?
Check out the city's website for more details on the project.