Access to the Granville Bridge will be reduced for an extended period starting March 2, 2024, involving detours, lane removals, and street closures.
As part of the Granville Connector project, Granville Street will be temporarily closed between the bridge's Howe/Seymour ramps and Drake Street.
Motorists and transit users will encounter detours and likely delays in the area as a result.
"Over the coming months, crews will remove the section of the existing bridge structure north of Pacific Street and replace it with a new, elevated roadway section of Granville Street that will connect to a new local road network, replacing the former north loops," explains the City of Vancouver.
"During this time all road users will be detoured to the Howe and Seymour ramps. Local access for residents and businesses will be retained throughout construction."
Work began last summer on the $50 million project when the north end traffic loops were removed.
The City of Vancouver has broken down what to expect for vehicle traffic and buses that use the bridge.
Traffic management
The following changes are planned for the north end of the bridge:
- Two lanes of traffic will be available on both Seymour and Howe ramps for vehicles driving on and off the bridge during construction.
- Sidewalks on both sides of the bridge, including the Howe and Seymour ramps, will remain open as much as possible throughout construction.
- Pedestrians will be detoured via sidewalks on the Howe and Seymour ramps.
- View a map of traffic detours.
Transit detours
- Buses into downtown will be detoured along the Seymour offramp and return to Granville Street via Davie Street.
- Buses leaving downtown will be detoured from Granville Street along Davie Street and Howe Street onto the bridge.
- View a map of transit detours.
- Alerts are shared with riders online via TransLink
Additionally, the City of Vancouver is offering the following tips for navigating traffic on or around the Granville Bridge.
- If you are travelling in and around the area, plan ahead and expect delays.
- Please abide by “No Parking” signs and “Pedestrian Detour” signs in the area.
- To stay ahead of road closures throughout the city, visit the city's road closures page or download the Van311 app for information on the go.
- Follow #VanTraffic or use the City of Vancouver's traffic cameras to check traffic conditions along your commute.
Granville Street is expected to reopen in the fall.
The Granville Connector project has been in motion since 1999 when plans to improve accessibility for anyone wishing to walk, bike, or roll across were initially discussed.
When the Granville Bridge was constructed in 1954, plans were for a freeway system in the city, which led to the giant traffic loops on the north end. The Granville Bridge was also built with a huge capacity for traffic; the four lanes in each direction currently in place are unnecessary the city's director of transportation Paul Storer said in February 2023, with traffic studies showing two lanes in each direction would be enough and three lanes more than sufficient.
In September 2020, Council endorsed the long-term design concept for the Granville Connector and directed staff to proceed with the interim Granville Connector construction.
With files from Brendan Kergin
