Carrall Street Today
Carrall Street is a two lane, two-way street with parking lanes extending between Pacific Boulevard and Water Street. The section of Carrall Street between Cordova Street and Pender Street was recently converted to two-way traffic flow in April 2004 as part of the implementation of the Downtown Transportation Plan.
Traffic volumes along the six blocks of Carrall Street range between 2,000-5,000 vehicles per day depending on the location. Parking and loading are generally available along the entire street length. TransLink currently has two scheduled bus services on Carrall Street in the southbound direction only between Powell and Pender Streets. Regularly scheduled tour buses also use the street in the northbound direction between Pender and Keefer Streets.
Concept Design
The concept design proposed for Carrall Street primarily revolves around reallocating space from vehicles to pedestrians and recreational users (such as joggers, in-line skaters and cyclists) and significant increase in tree planting and landscaping. Compare the existing condition with the greenway design.
The Carrall Street Greenway water-to-water connection will complete a seawall loop around the Downtown and Stanley Park. The general design principles for each segment seek to maintain the individuality of the diverse communities along the route. The greenway will connect to Crab Park at the north end, and to the False Creek seawall at the south end. The greenway segment between Water to Keefer Streets is the Heritage Zone. The Park Zone is located between Keefer Street to Pacific Boulevard.
The concept design was endorsed by the Stewardship Group, Bicycle Advisory Committee, Special Committee on Disability Issues, Chinatown Historic Area Planning Committee and Gastown Historic Area Planning Committee.
City Council approved the greenway concept plan  on April 28, 2005.
Long term vision
The greenway design is flexible and can accommodate the long term vision expressed by the community. In this vision, the sidewalk is expanded by diverting cyclists to share the roadway and converting the recreational paths to sidewalk space. Parking and traffic volumes on the greenway are further reduced. City Staff will proceed with more detailed evaluation in an effort to work towards this future vision.
View an illustration of the long term vision
Maple Tree Square and Alexander Street Interim Bike Connection
As part of the greenway development, Maple Tree Square, at the north end of Carrall where the statue of Gassy Jack stands, is also undergoing redesign. The redesign will normalize the traffic pattern and create more public open spaces for community events. As the interim bike connection to Crab Park via the Main Street overpass, Alexander Street will also receive design improvements. The redesign is expected to be completed in late 2006.
The concept designs were presented at the June 1 2006 Open House.
Carrall Street Greenway Display Boards:
Display Board 1
Display Board 2
Display Board 3
Display Board 4
Display Board 5
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