Granville Connector opens, transforming the Granville Bridge into a safe, comfortable and accessible gateway for everyone
The City of Vancouver is proud to announce the official opening of the Granville Connector - a safe, accessible and seamless route for everyone who wants to walk, bike or roll from downtown Vancouver to Central Broadway and the Arbutus Greenway.
Physically separated from vehicle traffic, the Granville Connector is a protected walking and cycling path across the west side of the Granville Bridge, created by reallocating two excess vehicle lanes. In addition to the new walking/cycling connection, the City has installed new traffic signals, wayfinding signage and improved connections to the rest of the active transportation network.
The Granville Connector is a key part of the City’s broader transportation vision that supports climate action, equity, health and livability while creating more convenient access to active transportation.
“Starting today, the Granville Bridge will be safe and accessible for everyone,” said Mayor Ken Sim. “We’re proud to be taking another step forward in addressing Vancouver’s infrastructure deficit while expanding our city’s robust active transportation network. The completion of the Granville Connector project will be a game changer as we move toward delivering a more connected, inclusive, and sustainable city.”
“This is a transformational moment for Vancouver’s transportation network,” said Lon LaClaire, General Manager of Engineering Services. “Granville Bridge used to be a huge barrier for walking and cycling, and now it’s joining Cambie and Burrard bridges as a fully protected and accessible active transportation link across False Creek, connecting two key employment and growth areas. We’re grateful to residents and businesses for their patience during construction and to TransLink for its support in making this vision a reality.”
The Granville Connector project is one of the City’s largest projects in the 2023-26 Capital Plan. It includes transportation improvements and the replacement of the north Granville loops with a standard street grid layout providing access to future housing and local services on the City-owned land that was occupied by the loops. With a final cost of approximately $54 million, the project was made possible through a strong partnership with TransLink, which contributed $8 million in funding from its Local Government Funding Programs.
“This project gives cyclists and pedestrians a seamless connection in and out of the downtown core,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn. “TransLink proudly invests over $100 million each year into local infrastructure improvements like this one that make it easier for residents to walk, cycle, or take transit.”
Making Granville Bridge safer and more accessible
Constructed in 1954, the Granville Bridge was originally designed to connect to high-speed, high-volume freeways that were never built. As a result, it was not accessible and presented a number of barriers for people to walk, bike or roll across the bridge.
The long-term vision for the Granville Connector project was shaped by extensive public and stakeholder engagement, which began in 2019. The design reflects strong public support for improved safety, accessibility and comfort and aligns with the City’s Transportation 2040 Plan. In September 2020, Council endorsed the long-term design concept for the Granville Connector.
Construction on the first phase of the Granville Connector began in early 2023. The project reached its first key milestone in fall 2024 when a new elevated roadway section of Granville Street opened at the north end of the Granville Bridge, providing priority access for transit into downtown Vancouver.
In June, a new downtown street network opened at the north end of the bridge replacing the former Granville Bridge north loops.
Connections and ongoing work
Construction for a temporary bike path in the Burrard Slopes park project area will begin later this summer, which will connect cyclists to the Granville Connector and Arbutus Greenway. During that construction, cyclists will be detoured along a block of both West 5th Avenue and Pine Street.
Transportation upgrades along Drake Street between Granville Street and Pacific Boulevard will continue into 2026. The Drake Street Upgrades project includes converting Drake Street to a one-way street for eastbound traffic from Burrard Street to Hamilton Street, and installation of a new, protected bike lane between Burrard Street and Pacific Boulevard. Once complete in spring 2026, these upgrades will provide a more comfortable and convenient route for people walking and cycling through downtown as well as a seamless connection to the Granville Connector.
The Granville Bridge south ramps rehabilitation project continues on the south end of the bridge, with phased ramp closures in place until summer 2026. This planned maintenance work on the ramps used to enter and exit the bridge on the south side includes concrete repairs, deck joint replacement, and bearing replacement work.
The City thanks residents, businesses and commuters for their patience and cooperation while ongoing critical rehabilitation, renewal and development projects take place around the city.