The street in front of Canada Place

City to trial one-way vehicle circulation on Canada Place for peak cruise ship season

April 7 2025 –

To improve pedestrian safety and better manage the growing volume of vehicle traffic on one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares, the City is testing one-way vehicle circulation on Canada Place between Howe and Burrard streets from mid-April to December 2025. 

The pilot will begin ahead of the peak spring/summer cruise ship season, which annually sees upwards of 1.2 million passenger visits to Vancouver boarding more than 300 cruise ships. 

With the conversion from two-way vehicle circulation to one-way, we anticipate:  

  • A reduction in the number of conflict points between pedestrians and vehicles in the area   
  • Improved safety for passengers entering and exiting the Canada Place cruise ship terminal 
  • Improvements to vehicle circulation for tour buses, taxis, and other vehicles entering and exiting the area

Motorists can enter the new one-way zone via Howe Street, exiting at Burrard or Thurlow Street.

The pilot is part of the City’s ongoing commitment to improve the pedestrian experience in Vancouver. Last year, the City completed major repairs to the east sidewalk of 200 Howe Street near Waterfront Station to maintain infrastructure and improve public safety. 

Staff will closely monitor the pilot in collaboration with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Vancouver Convention Centre and other key stakeholders. Depending on the pilot results, the one-way circulation may become permanent. 

Signage and road paint will be installed ahead of the pilot to alert motorists to the change.

Review the new traffic circulation map (4.8 MB) or learn more on our tour bus and limos/ride-hailing/taxis web pages.