A section of Point Grey Road in Vancouver’s Kitsilano has been shut down permanently to drivers to make way for a new bike lane that will link the Burrard Bridge and Jericho Beach Park.
City crews have started construction on the project, which is expected to last until at least June.
Beginning Saturday, the road will be shut down to drivers between Alma and MacDonald streets.
Vancouver director of transportation Jerry Dobrovolny said the new bike lane will improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
“The entire corridor completes a 28 kilometre route that now will extend from the Convention Centre all the way to Jericho Beach,” he said.
Vehicles and transit buses will be diverted south at MacDonald Avenue and pushed to use other routes, such as 4th Avenue, Broadway or 16th Avenue.
Critics of the project have said the new road closures makes the tony area a “private gated community” for owners of multi-million dollars homes.
Vancouver’s mayor Gregor Robertson lives in the area and recused himself from voting on the project because of the conflict of interest.
The city is reminding the public that businesses along Cornwall Avenue, York Avenue, Yew Street, 1st Avenue and Point Grey Road will remain open and be accessible to vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.
Location and expected duration of closures:
West 3rd Avenue at Bayswater Street and Macdonald Street
Start: October 2013
End: mid-January 2014
West 4th Avenue between Stephens Street and Bayswater Street
Start: October 2013
End: Mid-January 2014
West 4th Avenue between Bayswater Street and Macdonald Street
Start: November 2013
End: mid-January 2014
Point Grey Road between Alma Street and Jericho Beach Park
Start: Monday, November 4, 2013
End: February 2014
Point Grey Road conversion to a local street (west of Macdonald Street)
Traffic pattern changes start: Saturday, January 18, 2014
Point Grey Road between Macdonald Street and Bayswater Street
Start: Monday, January 20, 2014
End: June 2014
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