In the False Creek Flats planning process, we explored three possible options:
- National Avenue
- Malkin Avenue
- William Street
These options present challenges for various project partners.
National Avenue
(8.75 MB)The National Avenue option runs along the north edge of the new St. Paul’s Hospital site, past Trillium Park and along Thornton St, onto National Ave to Chess Dr.
The overpass begins at Chess Dr, through the Fire Training Facility, overtop the railway track, Vernon Dr, and aligns with Grant St to connect with Clark Drive.
Key challenges:
- Requires a longer structure to span the rail yards
- Wouldn't operate well for driving, cycling, walking, or transit, due to the proximity to E 1st Ave at Clark Dr
- Impacts the National Works Yard and requires relocating the Chess Street Fire Training Facility and Heavy Urban Search and Rescue site. These facilities would be expensive to relocate and rebuild and no suitable alternative properties have been identified.
Malkin Avenue
The Malkin Ave option runs along the north edge of the new St. Paul’s Hospital site and on the existing alignment of Malkin Ave.
The overpass begins at Raymur Ave, passes over Glen Dr, the railway tracks, Vernon Dr, and aligns with Charles St to connect with Clark Dr.
Key challenges:
- Removes part of the Cottonwood Community Gardens that are within the street right-of-way
- Restrict truck operations of several Produce Row businesses that currently back-in to loading bays and block the street
William Street
The William St option was dismissed in an early phase of exploration due to its impact to Strathcona Park. During engagement on the other options, project partners impacted by the Malkin St option requested that we consider it as an option.
This option runs along the north edge of the new St. Paul’s Hospital site, on the existing alignment of Malkin Ave, and through Strathcona Park between Chess St and Raymur Ave.
The overpass begins at Raymur Ave, passes over Glen Dr, the railway tracks, Vernon Dr, and aligns with William St to connect with Clark Dr.
Key challenges:
- Splits the southern portion of Strathcona Park
- Requires a Park Board decision whether the reconfiguration of the park boundaries and facilities is possible
Prior Street as an arterial today
During consultation and assessment of each option, Prior Street will remain as an east-west arterial through False Creek Flats.
Although the increase in rail activity has disrupted the neighbourhood, Prior/Venables Street and the current rail crossing continue to operate safely.
Improvements to transit, walking, and cycling, such as the Hastings B-Line (Route 95) and increased service on the Expo SkyTrain, will provide more choices for people to get around and are anticipated to reduce traffic volumes on Prior/Venables Street and reduce the disruption felt by the community.
Safety improvements along Prior Street
In 2015, we completed an In-service Road Safety Review and a Livability Assessment. These studies showed that the type and frequency of collisions on Prior/Venables Street compares with similar corridors in the City.
We have implemented the recommendations of the studies and addressed community requests to improve safety, including:
- Installation of ten pedestrian countdown timers
- Increased pedestrian crossing time at four signals
- Improved visibility by removing vegetation and installing more visible signal heads at Raymur & Venables
- Implementation of a left turn ban during the afternoon peak at Venables St and Vernon St
- Installation of speed reader boards on Prior St
- Replacement of signs to warn drivers approaching Strathcona Park
A new pedestrian/bike signal at Venables St and Vernon St will be installed in 2018.