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Construction of new downtown Vancouver bike lane starts next week

Starting next week, city crews will start work on a new downtown bike lane.
bike lane
Construction of the new bike lane along Richards Streets starts Monday. Photo City of Vancouver

Starting next week, city crews will start work on a new downtown bike lane.

The city announced Thursday that the project will upgrade critical street infrastructure along Richards Street between Cordova and Pacific, including the introduction of green infrastructure and transportation upgrades “to benefit all users.”

The green infrastructure includes storm water tree trenches to reduce street run off and 100 new trees. Additional upgrades include protected intersections, traffic signal reconstruction, sidewalk improvements, street repaving, one block of sewer upgrades and two new Mobi bike share stations.

On the subject of cycling, the transportation upgrades include a new bike lane along Richards Street aimed at improving cycling access in the downtown area.

“The improvements will close major gaps in the existing bike network by providing a north-south connection to Gastown and False Creek, enhance cycling connections with east-west routes, and create safer navigation at intersections for everybody,” the city said in an information bulletin.

Construction will be done in two phases starting Monday with completion anticipated in spring 2021.

What to expect during construction:

  • To minimize traffic impacts, the work will be done in four to five-block segments over two phases, starting in sections between Cordova and Nelson. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in the area of construction.
  • Access to residences, businesses, and most sidewalks will be maintained throughout construction. Detours around active construction areas may be in effect for people walking.

For more information, visit vancouver.ca/richardsupgrades. Get up to date information about road closures at vancouver.ca/roadwork or through the city’s VanConnect app.