Traffic impacts expected as 2 major construction projects begin in downtown Vancouver

Downtown projects to affect Vancouver traffic Two major construction projects in downtown Vancouver are now underway and are expected to cause traffic delays.

Vancouver — Some drivers heading back to work and school after winter holidays on Monday faced some delays, with two major construction projects getting underway in Vancouver’s downtown core.

By 8 a.m., two lanes were closed eastbound on Georgia Street where a critical water main replacement project kicked off, leaving only one lane open in that direction during the morning rush.

The 100-year-old water main has burst twice over the past few months near the Vancouver Art Gallery. The project involves replacing 375 metres of the water main along Georgia Street between Howe and Thurlow.

Despite Monday morning's dual eastbound lane closures, the City of Vancouver says going forward it plans to keep two lanes of traffic moving in both directions during peak periods during the morning (7 to 9:30 a.m.) and afternoon (3 to 7 p.m.).

Outside of those hours Georgia Street may be down to one lane heading eastbound and two lanes heading westbound, so the city is urging drivers to plan ahead and to expect delays.

The project is expected to wrap up in April, in time for the Vancouver Sun Run.

Phase one of construction on a major re-design of Richards Street between Gastown and Yaletown also started Monday.

One of the biggest changes will be upgrading a one-lane painted bike lane to a two-lane separated bike lane, which will see the removal of 50 street parking spaces.

The city will also be doing upgrades to intersections, sidewalks, and sewers, as well as re-paving. Two new Mobi bike share stations are being added and 100 new trees are being planted.

The project is being done in phases and will affect Richards Street between Cordova Street in Gastown and Pacific Street in Yaletown.

At times during construction, traffic on some portions of Richards Street will be reduced to one lane.

Only one lane of traffic was squeezing through near Richards and Robson streets on Monday morning.

That project is expected to wrap up in spring of 2021.