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've developed 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 long-term vision of the Granville Bridge Connector aims to 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 Action Plan targets.
What's happening
Our final phase of public and stakeholder engagement was completed in early 2020. The majority of respondents supported the recommended design, West Side Plus, and provided valuable feedback that helped inform staff’s final recommendation to Council.
In September 2020, staff presented these recommendations for the Granville Bridge Connector and Drake Street Improvements. Council endorsed the long-term design concept and approved moving forward with the interim design of each as part of this Capital Plan.
View recordings from the Council meetings
Read the Council report PDF file (265 KB)
Find information on how to watch Council live, speak to Council by phone, or send comments online
The first phase of the Granville Connector will focus on establishing core pedestrian and cycling connections and accessibility. This will also lay the groundwork for future improvements.
This includes:
- Interim accessible walking, rolling, and cycling paths on the west side of the bridge deck, separated from motor traffic with a concrete barrier
- Signalized and accessible crossings at the Fir Street and Howe Street on and off-ramps
- Interim walking, rolling, and cycling connections between the bridge and the Arbutus Greenway, and pedestrian access between the bridge and South Granville
- Interim barriers on Drake Street to provide an improved pedestrian realm and two-way protected bike lane, as well as convert the street to one-way motor vehicle travel
- Improved wayfinding for people walking, rolling, and cycling
- Coordination with the North Granville Loops replacement work
The first phase of the Drake Street Upgrades work began in summer 2021, on Drake Street between Hornby Street and Howe Street. The first phase of the Granville Connector and North Loops Reconfiguration project is anticipated to begin later next year.
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 the project’s first phase of engagement, we refined the project 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 approved 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
Staff gave the public and stakeholders an opportunity to review the draft project goals, and provided space for people to share experiences, hopes, concerns, and ideas. Based on this feedback, staff refined the draft goals and used them to evaluate over 20 options for the Connector.
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September 2019
Phase 2
Six shortlisted options for improved walking, rolling, and cycling connections on the bridge were shared with stakeholders and the public for detailed review, along with information on options that did not make the shortlist.
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Early 2020
Phase 3
Based on Phase 2 input, the recommended 'West Side +' design was shared to gauge levels of support, and for additional input to allow for further refinements.
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September 2020
Council decision
Staff presented final recommendations to Council for the Granville Bridge Connector and Drake Street Improvements, to which Council voted to endorse the long-term concept and approved moving forward with an interim design as part of this Capital Plan.
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We are here
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Late 2021
Implementation
City staff are working with a consulting team to finalize the project's detailed design and construction planning, aiming to begin construction in mid 2022.
