FAQs
What is the purpose of the trial?
The trial is intended to test whether converting a car lane on the bridge into a dedicated bike lane is a viable, lower-cost alternative to widening the sidewalks on the existing bridge: that is, would lane reallocation work to increase the safety and comfort of cyclists and pedestrians, help continue the shift toward green transportation alternatives (walking, cycling and riding the bus), and maintain an effective flow of traffic over False Creek?
Wasn't the bridge just fine the way it was?
The bridge requires about $30 million in structural repairs. These repairs will require car lanes to close during construction, and are unrelated to the proposal to widen the bridge deck (which would cost about $30 million more). In addition, studies show that the use of the bridge by pedestrians and cyclists is increasing. The need for more dedicated space for pedestrians and cyclists to ensure their passage over the bridge is safe and comfortable has been well-recognized.
Prior to the trial, the Burrard Bridge had six lanes (each three metres wide): three northbound lanes and three southbound. Sidewalks on the bridge are 2.6 metres wide and were shared by both cyclists and pedestrians. Collisions between pedestrians and cyclists were not uncommon.
How is the trial being monitored?
The City of Vancouver has undertaken several monitoring measures to assess the impact of the trial, including:
- Counts of all types of traffic
- Trip timing
- On-site monitoring
What is the cost of the Burrard Bridge Lane Reallocation Trial?
Funding for related modifications to the City’s road network, a communications program and a monitoring and evaluation program has been provided from Streets Capital - Burrard Bridge Pedestrian and Cycling Improvements, to a maximum amount of $1,450,000.
Is there an end date for the trial?
The trial does not have a pre-set end date. Based on a Fall 2009 status report, Council has decided to leave the trial in place through the winter and will re-visit the issue in 2010.
How can I contact the City with my comments or questions about the trial?
We welcome all feedback on the trial. Email us at dialogue@vancouver.ca or call us at 604.873.7011. Depending on the volume of calls we receive and the nature of your question, it may take up to a week for you to hear from us. We appreciate your patience on this matter.
Are buses affected?
The City has consulted with Translink on this trial, and has incorporated measures to ensure priority access for buses on to the bridge. Part of the purpose of the trial is to assess impacts on transit. Studies completed by the City and Translink in Fall 2009 found no effect on bus travel times.
Why don't you just widen the sidewalks?
The most significant reason not to widen the bridge is the cost, which would be about $30 million on top of repair work which must be done. The bridge is also a heritage structure and this makes widening it a more difficult challenge.
Will emergency vehicles still be able to get through?
Emergency vehicles will have access to the same priority lanes that transit buses will use, ensuring there is access for them on to the bridge.
Why not build a new bridge?
A new bridge would cost at least $100 million to build and that's just for the structure itself. Land acquisition could drive the cost up even higher. Locating a new bridge in a heavily built-up urban environment also presents major challenges, on top of the need to meet federal requirements for navigation in busy False Creek.
How will the success of the trial trial be monitored?
The number of pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles crossing all three False Creek bridges, Burrard, Granville and Cambie, are being counted, in most cases on a continuous basis. Where possible this counting is being done using permanent or temporary automatic counting equipment. In some cases, automatic counting is not possible, so City staff will manually count trips across False Creek. Occasional manual counts will also be done to confirm the data provided by automatic count equipment.
- Vehicles are counted using magneitic induction loops installed in the pavement or by pneumatic hoses placed across the roadway
- Cyclists are counted using magnetic induction loops installed on the pavement or sidewalk
- Pedestians are counted using pyroelectric (infrared) sensors
Transit and vehicle travel times will be measured using both GPS and manually timed trips across the bridges.
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