West Side Plus
By City of Vancouver
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Looking north
By City of Vancouver
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North end
By City of Vancouver
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South end
By City of Vancouver
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West side
By City of Vancouver
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Recommended design
By City of Vancouver
We’re developing conceptual plans for an improved walking, rolling, and cycling path across Granville Bridge.
Originally designed for high-volume freeways that were never built, Granville Bridge presents significant accessibility and safety challenges for today’s urban context.
The Granville Bridge Connector would address a major gap in the city’s active transportation network and serve some of the densest parts of the city. There is also potential for features such as art, lighting, seating, and lookout stations to create a special place and enjoyable experience for people of all ages and abilities.
The project is key to accommodating the growing number of people living, working, and playing in the city and region, and helping us meet our Climate Emergency Response targets.
What's happening
Phase 3 of public engagement
We're recommending a refined version of the West Side Plus option that was shown in Phase 2, with changes based on public feedback.
This was the preferred option by the public and a diverse range of stakeholders. Key features of the West Side Plus option include:
- West side main path
- Wide, accessible sidewalk with room for furniture and special places at key locations
- Wide two-way bike path with room for passing
- Protective barrier between the bike path and motor traffic
- East side sidewalk and Hemlock St ramp improvements
- Wide, accessible sidewalk
- Protective barrier between the sidewalk and motor traffic
- Fir ramp cycling connection
- Relatively flat two-way cycling connection with 10th Ave bike route
- Safe, accessible crossings at Howe St, Fir St, Hemlock St, and Seymour St ramps
- Traffic signals to allow for safe crossing
- Accessibility ramps to provide access for people using mobility aids
- Connections to the network at each end
- At south end – via an improved W 5th Ave linking to Arbutus Greenway
- At north end – via proposed Drake St upgrades
- Future-proofed for potential Granville Island elevator and staircase
Open houses and online survey
Thank you to everyone that shared your input by attending our open houses, participating in our workshops, or by taking the online survey.
Current challenges
By City of Vancouver
Granville Bridge was designed to connect to high-speed, high-volume freeways that were never built.The freeway-style design presents significant safety and accessibility challenges for today’s urban context.
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Narrow and uncomfortable sidewalks next to high-speed traffic
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Steps in the sidewalks at crossings make the bridge inaccessible for people with mobility aids such as wheelchairs and scooters.
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Unsignalized crosswalks at vehicle ramps feel unsafe and contribute to motor vehicle collisions.
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Confusing connections due to vehicle ramps and signage designed for high-speed traffic
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No cycling facilities across the bridge means people cycling either share a travel lane with high-speed motor traffic, or mix with pedestrians on the sidewalk.
Revised project goals
Based on feedback from phase 1, we refined the goals to:
- Support our climate emergency efforts by enabling more trips via sustainable transportation
- Make walking, rolling, and cycling across the bridge accessible, safe, and comfortable for all ages and abilities
- Provide direct and intuitive walking, rolling, and cycling connections to key destinations and the sustainable transportation network
- Create a special place that provides an enjoyable experience for all
- Enable reliable transit and continued access for emergency vehicles
- Accommodate motor vehicles, considering the bridge’s role in the regional transportation network
- Integrate means prevention to deter self-harm
- Incorporate environmental features, including provisions for rainwater management and wildlife habitat
- Design for the future, considering compatibility with related projects and flexibility to adapt as the city grows
- Provide value for money and maximize coordination opportunities
Get updates
This project email newsletter will provide updates on construction, opportunities to provide feedback, and final decisions by Council.
Contact us
Project area
Timeline
Here is our timeline and anticipated milestones. The timeline is subject to change based on input and direction by Council.
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January 30, 2019
Council approval
Council approves moving forward with public engagement to inform additional design options as part of improvements to the bridge.
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April 2019
Phase 1
We’re seeking feedback on the draft goals, how you use the bridge today, and your aspirations for the kind of connection Granville Bridge could be.
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September 2019
Phase 2
We’ll report back on what we heard in Phase 1, and reach out to present and hear your feedback on high-level design options for improved walking, rolling, and cycling connections on the bridge.
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We are here
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Early 2020
Phase 3
We’ll report back on what we heard in Phase 2 and present an evaluation of the design options.
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Spring 2020
Council decision
The proposed design will be presented to Council for review. Pending Council approval, this timeline will be updated to reflect implementation.
Related projects
Granville Bridge Upgrades
Learn about the structural and seismic upgrades to the Granville Bridge.
Arbutus Greenway
When complete, the Arbutus Greenway will enable you to walk or cycle continuously from Marpole in South Vancouver to False Creek.
Broadway Plan
This is the start of a comprehensive planning and engagement process for the area of Broadway between Clark Drive and Vine Street.
Broadway Subway project
Together with the Province, we're advancing the design and construction of the Broadway Subway, a tunneled extension of the subway.
Transportation 2040 Plan
Our plan provides a vision for how people and goods move in and around Vancouver for the next 30 years.
