After years of studying and much debate, Vancouver council members have voted to remove the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts. The viaducts were originally constructed in 1972 as part of a freeway network that was never completed and since then these two routes have transformed Prior Street from a quiet neighbourhood street into a busy arterial route.

Present:

Together, the two viaducts — one on Georgia that carries traffic heading east and a second on Dunsmuir St. for westbound traffic — take approximately 40,000 vehicles per day, accounting for 10% of vehicles entering and leaving the downtown area. Although this route has been widely used by commuters, these concrete structures have created an obstruction that limits connectivity between the surrounding neighbourhoods of False Creek, Downtown, and Chinatown.

Future:

City staff and consultants have made recommendations for the viaducts to be replaced with at-grade streets that can accommodate 100% of today’s traffic volume. The proposed new networks include reconfiguring Pacific Boulevard, adding a pedestrian route on Dunsmuir, and a ramp on Georgia Street to help with motor vehicle traffic. City staff are confident the proposed plan will bring beneficial opportunities and better access for many. Some of these benefits include:

• Road improvements and lower long-run costs: At-grade streets are seismically more stable and cost 5–10 times less to maintain.
• Better motor vehicle and pedestrian friendly routes: Improves connectivity within communities and provides better access to the seawall.
• A reconnected Main Street corridor: Connectivity between Union and Prior St. with new retail, office, and affordable housing opportunities.
• A new waterfront district: Proposed Georgia Street Wharf is be an active outdoor waterfront area for leisure and community events.
• Future Creekside Park extension: A 13-acre, city-wide destination park adding additional green space to the city.
• New affordable and market housing opportunities: The City is hoping that, between private developers and the City, viaduct removal will provide room for about 2,500 new homes.

What’s next?

Although the results are in favour of removing the viaducts, it will still take some effort before any construction is underway. From now until spring 2017, city planners will be meeting with major landowners and crown stakeholders (the Province and Pavco) to negotiate development contributions and determine what will be the best way to implement their plan. In the coming months, it will be important to stay tuned for more details on this pivotal plan for our beautiful city. Visit the City of Vancouver’s website for more details.