Vancouver is initiating a community panel to look into options for the best route for an arterial roadway and overpass through the False Creek Flats area.
“As the City has moved through the alignment exploration process for an arterial and overpass in False Creek Flats, it’s become apparent that all of the options explored to date present challenges for various project partners,” Jerry Dobrovolny, general manager of engineering, said in a press release. “After much discussion about how to move forward, we decided that this difficult decision requires the highest level of community engagement possible — a Community Panel.”
A community panel is a group of randomly selected residents and businesses that advises and recommends a solution on a complex or difficult issue in the community. All residents and businesses in the city will have a chance to apply to sit on the panel. Key stakeholders will also be invited to advise the consultant in the design of the learning program and participate in learning sessions with the panel.
The application process for the panel is not open yet. The city is just putting out a request for proposals looking for a third-party facilitator and expects to open applications to the public in early 2018.
The aim of the project is to separate the rail corridor from the roadway and reduce the impact of train traffic on the area, enhance safety and alleviate congestion. The Burrard Inlet rail corridor connects the False Creek Flats railyards with the Port of Vancouver container terminals on the south shore of the Burrard Inlet.
CN increased rail traffic in January 2017 and, according to data from the city, the crossing at Prior and Venables is currently experiencing an average of 12.5 blockages a day lasting around 6.5 minutes each.
Municipal staff have been working to identify a route for an over or underpass since the fall of 2015.
To date, three possible options have been identified — National Avenue, Malkin Avenue and William Street — and each comes with its own set of challenges.
National Avenue: runs along the north edge of the new St. Paul’s Hospital site, past Trillium Park and along Thornton Street, onto National to Chess Drive. The overpass would begin at Chess Drive, through the Fire Training Facility, overtop the railway track, and Vernon Drive and align with Grant Street to connect with Clark Drive.
Key challenges:
- Requires a longer structure to span the rail yards.
- Wouldn’t operate well for driving, cycling, walking or transit due to the proximity to East First Avenue at Clark Drive.
- Would impact the National Works Yard and require relocating the Chess Street fire training facility and heavy urban search and rescue site, which would be expensive to relocate and rebuild with no suitable alternative properties have been identified.
Malkin Avenue: also runs along the north edge of the new hospital site and on the existing alignment of Malkin Avenue. The overpass would begin at Raymur Avenue, pass over Glen Drive and the railway tracks and align with Charles Street to connect with Clark Drive.
Key Challenges:
- Would remove part of the Cottonwood community gardens that are within the street right-of-way.
- Would restrict truck operations of several Produce Row businesses that currently back-in to loading bays and block the street.
William Street: this option was initially dismissed due to its impact on Strathcona Park (it would split the southern portion of the park) but project partners impacted by the Malkin Street option asked that it be considered. This option starts in the same place as the Malkin Street option but then runs through Strathcona Park between Chess Street and Raymur Avenue. The overpass would begin at Raymur Avenue, pass over Glen Drive, the railway tracks and Vernon Drive, and then align with William Street to connect with Clark Drive.
Key challenges:
- Splits the southern portion of Strathcona Park.
- Requires a park board decision on whether the reconfiguration of the park boundaries and facilities is possible.
For more information visit the City of Vancouver website HERE.
@JessicaEKerr
