Granville Bridge Connector
With a changing urban context, more people living within walking, rolling and biking distance from home, work and play, and shifting design intent with the goal of achieving Climate Emergency Response targets, the City of Vancouver has been actively engaging in improving the urban infrastructure to better reflect the values of modern-day Vancouver as a city that supports the use of all modes of transportation to be accessed by all users. This means, making roads accessible to vehicles, bikes and pedestrians alike.
The Granville Bridge Connector project has been on the City’s radar for a number of years, aiming to better reflect the needs of the city’s modern population. Originally built in order to connect two high speed, high traffic roadways that were never built, the bridge didn’t take into consideration the needs of cyclists and pedestrians. This has led many non-vehicle users to perceive the bridge as unsafe.
Recommended design. Source: City of Vancouver, 2020
The proposed project emphasizes the vital importance of the bridge in the context of a regional transportation network for pedestrians, cyclists, transit users and vehicles alike. Highlights from the project include:
Public use spaces, including public art, streets furniture and viewpoints
Wide sidewalks on both the East and West sides of the bridge
A bi-directional bike lane on the Westside that connects to the existing Arbutus Greenway, and 10th Ave. bike corridors to the South and to the proposed Drake St. bike lane to the North
Safety fences between vehicles and non-vehicle users, as well as suicide-prevention fencing
Six vehicle lanes are retained to keep efficient access for vehicles using the bridge
West side view. Source: City of Vancouver, 2020.
The proposed design is the result of many consultation processes, input from city staff and public initiative, and will cost an estimated 30-40 million dollars. Making roads safer and more comfortable for all road users is clearly a priority for the City of Vancouver and well depicted in this proposed design.
Implementing an urban infrastructure that reflects the accessibility and safety needs of all road users is important in looking towards more walkable communities around the province.
South end view. Source: City of Vancouver, 2020.
Check out the council report here>>
Check out the proposal for the Granville Bridge Connector here>>
Check out more on the City of Vancouver’s Transportation 2040 Plan here>>
Temporary road closures
The City of Vancouver has closed or limited access to select roads and paths to limit large gatherings and help you keep 2 m away from others while exercising and getting fresh air. Measures include slow streets in select neighbourhoods across the city, and roadway space reallocations on Beach Avenue and within Stanley Park. More >>
Pop-up Plazas
The City of Vancouver is allowing businesses to operate temporary pop-up plazas, giving people space to eat, visit, rest, or enjoy the weather while maintaining a safe distance from each other. More >>
