Haro and Bute Infrastructure Upgrades

Improvements

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  Water main replacement

  This marks the city’s largest water transmission main replacement.

  The existing water main is a critical feed to downtown and dates back to the early 1900s. These upgrades will help serve a growing neighbourhood with a larger-capacity system with the installation of over two kilometres of new pipe.

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  Haro Street Bikeway

  We’re planning upgrades to make the bikeway safer, more accessible and comfortable for all ages and abilities. 

  Haro Street became a bikeway in 2012 with changes limited to signage and paint. As one of the two local, east-west bike routes through the West End, it serves many key destinations including:

  • The West End Community Centre
  • Businesses on Robson and Denman streets
  • Public spaces such as Bute Plaza and Gilford Mini-Park

  View our progress and milestones

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  Street improvements

  The improvements being completed at the Chilco St and Robson St intersection are depicted in the image, below, and outlined in the notification letter PDF file (1 MB) which was shared with residents of the area in the fall 2019.

  Initially, we anticipated that the changes at Chilco St and Robson would be implemented in an early phase of construction; however, several internal and external factors including Metro Vancouver construction nearby in Stanley Park, have contributed to the postponement of street improvement changes to the north half of the Chilco St/Robson St intersection for several years.

  Through our original fall 2019 notification, we heard and made note of feedback from area residents. Although we heard some feedback about increased local traffic circulation and additional motor vehicles using Rosemary Brown Lane, we don't anticipate this being an issue as there will continue to be two-way circulation on Lagoon Dr and Robson St and people may need to use the lane for local access.

  Traffic calming is a balance where we aim to reduce shortcutting along local streets, bikeways, and the neighbourhood as a whole while minimizing access changes for local residents. By reducing shortcutting and motor vehicle volumes on these streets, we are improving  comfort and safety for people of all ages and abilities who are walking and cycling.

  We’re also coordinating various street improvements at key locations for all modes of travel.

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How this construction may affect you

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  Plazas

  To provide adequate space for this critical underground construction to take place, the removal of two Bute Street plazas will be required. The Bute-Robson Plaza will be reinstated after construction.

  Adjacent blocks of Bute Street, including the block with the Bute-Alberni Plaza, will be part of a future public engagement on the Bute Greenway which will explore opportunities for additional gathering places like plazas and traffic calming measures to reduce motor vehicle volumes along the Bute corridor.  

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  Access to residences and businesses

  Access to residences and businesses will be maintained at all times.

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  Parking

  Parking restrictions will be in effect to accommodate construction.

  Be sure to watch for changes to parking as work progresses. Restrictions will be lifted as soon as they’re no longer needed. 

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  Traffic

  Some lane and street closures will be in effect to facilitate construction.

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  Water supply

  We’ll provide advance notice of any disruption to your water supply, except in an emergency.

  During construction, you may occasionally notice cloudy water. This is not a health concern and will usually resolve within a few hours.

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  Past updates and documents

  2019

  We’re planning improvements to the Haro Street Bikeway between Denman and Thurlow St. Thanks to those who came to our open house to learn about the proposed design options and share your input on September 26. An online survey for input was also available until October 15.

  • Open house information display PDF file (10 MB)
  • Transportation design guidelines: All ages and abilities cycling routes PDF file (1.7 MB)