Granville Bridge Connector

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

Our final phase of public and stakeholder engagement was completed in early 2020. The vast majority of respondents supported the recommended design, West Side Plus, and provided many valuable suggestions.

Staff plan to present recommendations for Granville Bridge Connector and Drake St to Council on September 16, 2020. If that date changes, we will update you.

Once finalized, the Council report will be available online.

Find information on how to watch Council live, speak to Council by phone, or send comments online

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.

Narrow and uncomfortable sidewalks next to high-speed traffic
Steps in the sidewalks at crossings make the bridge inaccessible for people with mobility aids such as wheelchairs and scooters.
Unsignalized crosswalks at vehicle ramps feel unsafe and contribute to motor vehicle collisions.
Confusing connections due to vehicle ramps and signage designed for high-speed traffic
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.

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Contact us

granvilleconnector@vancouver.ca

Project area

Timeline

Here is our timeline and anticipated milestones. The timeline is subject to change based on input and direction by Council.

January 30, 2019

Council approval

Council approves moving forward with public engagement to inform additional design options as part of improvements to the bridge.
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.
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.
We are here
Early 2020

Phase 3

We’ll report back on what we heard in Phase 2 and present an evaluation of the design options.
September 16, 2020

Council decision

Staff plan to present recommendations for Granville Bridge Connector and Drake Street

Past updates and documents
Phase 3

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
Phase 2

Thanks to everyone who shared their thoughts on the options for the Granville Bridge Connector. We're now reviewing the feedback and will share the results soon.
September 6, 2019 – City launches the second phase of public engagement. We asked for feedback on 6 design options that reflect the feedback from phase 1.

Phase 1

We heard from over 1,100 people at the public events and over 5,000 people filled out the survey. Overall, there were high levels of support for the project with many ideas also shared on how to achieve the goals.

Here's a teaser of what we heard

For more information about what we heard, read the phase 1 engagement summary (1.8 MB)

April 4, 2019 – City launches public consultation process to inform the design of a new walking, rolling, and cycling path along Granville Bridge. We asked for feedback on our draft goals, how you use the bridge today, as well as your hopes, concerns, and ideas about the project.
- Phase 1 open house information displays (10.6 MB)
- Phase 1 consultation summary (1.8 MB)
January 30, 2019 – Council unanimously approves moving forward with public engagement to inform additional design options as part of improvements along Granville Bridge.
- Read the Council report (289 KB)
- View the staff presentation (15 MB)
October 29, 2018 – Presentation to South Granville BIA

City staff provided a high level overview of upcoming projects impacting the South Granville neighbourhood, including Broadway Subway, Granville Bridge, and Arbutus Greenway.

October 31, 2012 – Transportation 2040 approved

The proposal for improved walking and cycling facilities on Granville Bridge is approved by Council as part of the Transportation 2040 Plan.
- Transportation 2040 Plan (complete), page 67 (False Creek Bridges) (15 MB)
- Transportation 2040 Plan (condensed), page 68 (False Creek Bridges) (16 MB)

Granville Bridge Connector

West Side Plus

Looking north

North end

South end

West side

Recommended design

What's happening

Open houses and online survey

Current challenges

Revised project goals

Get updates

Contact us

Project area

Timeline

Past updates and documents

Phase 3

Phase 2

Phase 1

Here's a teaser of what we heard

Related projects

Granville Bridge Upgrades

Arbutus Greenway

Broadway Plan

Broadway Subway project

Transportation 2040 Plan