Kent Avenue Greenway upgrades

Phase 1 proposed changes

Widening and enhancements of shared-used path

• The existing shared-used path between Victoria Dr and Portside Dr will be widened and resurfaced. This expansion will separate people walking from people cycling using permanent materials. 

New sidewalks along Kent Ave North

• Building a new sidewalk along the north side of Kent Ave North between Victoria Dr and Elliott St where no sidewalk exists today
• Adding curb bulges, green infrastructure, and rain gardens at intersections with the new sidewalks

Vehicle access

The public right-of-way width on Kent Ave is about half the width of a typical local street; there is not enough room to add a new sidewalk and maintain two-way vehicle access and vehicle parking. To support the new sidewalk, we're planning to convert the roadway along Kent Ave between Victoria Dr to Elliott St to westbound-only for vehicles. Two-way traffic will be maintained for people cycling and emergency vehicles. Vehicle access to all residences will be maintained.

This change is expected to have the added benefits of reducing short-cutting, improving the comfort and safety for people walking and cycling. 

To facilitate these improvements along East Kent Ave changes to on-street parking are required:

• On-street parking spaces at intersections along Kent Ave North will be removed to support the addition of new curb bulges, green rainwater infrastructure, and new sidewalks
• Removal of on-street parking along East Kent Ave North between Victoria Dr and the lane to support the new sidewalk and two-way vehicle traffic
• Removal of on-street parking along East Kent Ave North between Gladstone Riverside Park and Elliott St to allow space for a new sidewalk, one-way westbound vehicle traffic and two-way cycling, and emergency vehicle access

Following public engagement, we will consider design changes to address observations or concerns. An updated design will be shared back with the community.

Phase 1 constructed is expected to start sometime in 2026. Phase 1 will be monitored, including how traffic volumes and patterns adjust in the area, to determine if further design changes are needed.  

Phase 2 is anticipated to proceed to public engagement in late 2026.

In November 2020, Council approved the Climate Emergency Action Plan PDF file (23.9 MB) to increase our efforts to address climate change.

One of Vancouver's six major goals ("big moves") to lower its carbon emissions is to reach the target of having two-thirds of all trips in the city made by walking, cycling, rolling, or public transit by 2030.

This moves forward our previous goal from the Transportation 2040 plan by 10 years.

Approved by Council in 2012, Transportation 2040 is a long-term strategic vision for the city that helps guide transportation and land use decisions and public investments for the years ahead.

The plan identifies Kent Avenue as a gap in the all ages and abilities (AAA) PDF file (1.7 MB) cycling network. The Kent Avenue Greenway was also included as a priority in the 2023 to 2027 Active Mobile Plan PDF file (16 MB).

The AAA cycling network on busy streets features protected bike lanes and thoughtfully designed intersections, enhancing comfort and safety.

This connected approach not only improves convenience for cyclists and rollers but also helps us progress towards our Climate Emergency targets.

In July 2022, Council approved the Vancouver Plan PDF file (36.7 MB) to create a more livable, affordable, and sustainable city for everyone.

Kent Avenue is identified as one of the city’s industrial areas, in which transportation planning needs to consider and support industrial activities.

Additionally, Kent Avenue is highlighted as a priority in the Marpole Community Plan PDF file (125 MB), approved by Council in 2014. This plan aims to make cycling safe, convenient, comfortable, and fun for people of all ages and abilities along Kent Avenue and elsewhere in the neighbourhood.