Transportation

It looks like the City of Vancouver is kicking its PR campaign for the Broadway rapid transit into high gear. This is a welcome sign as in the past Mayor Gregor Robertson has been upstaged by our neighbours south of the Fraser, who have been screaming bloody murder for more rapid transit for quite some time. Although, to many on the outside looking in, building rapid transit in the city may only seem to cater to those fortunate enough to live within the city’s borders, however, a closer look would indicate otherwise.

Well, the Robson Square pedestrian-only zone suffered a setback as the City of Vancouver will be reopening the street to cars and buses on December 1st. This comes after a three month trial period to keep the square car free.

The King George Boulevard rapid bus service that will run from Guildford Mall Exchange to Newton Exchange in Surrey will be known as the 96 B-Line.

Now that the Port Mann bridge is almost complete the Province of B.C. is shifting its focus to the George Massey Tunnel replacement. That along with the Patullo Bridge replacement are two major projects that will happen in the very near future. The question is when and how much is this going to cost. Solutions to both will most likely be tolled and thus create some resistance from residents. 

Vancouver is no stranger to trying new, environmentally friendly solutions to traditional city services. We first told you about the rubber sidewalks that line many streets in East Vancouver. Now the City has created a plastic-based asphalt which it will use for a trial for paved roads.

The first of TransLink’s new New Flyer Xcelsior (XD40) 40-foot buses has arrived in West Vancouver.

The Port Mann Bridge will officially open on December 1 and there will rapid bus service over the bridge for the first time in a over a decade. 

Over the next few years, major renovations will be coming to some of SkyTrain’s oldest and busiest stations. The most significant of these station upgrades is anticipated to be done for Commercial-Broadway Station, where a new additional platform will be built to address congestion and overcrowding.

One aspect of the city’s Transportation 2040 plan is calling for the addition of rapid transit to the Hastings Street, 41st Avenue, 49th Avenue, Commercial Drive/Victoria Drive, Main Street, and Fraser Street corridors.