Car-free is key to 2010 transportation plan

Vancouver is throwing a party for the world in 2010 but it's going to be a bit difficult to get there.

Olympic organizers have released a wide-ranging transportation plan designed to keep cars off the road through street closures, lane reductions and heavy reliance on public transit.

Over 30 blocks of the city's downtown will be converted to pedestrian-only corridors after noon each day.

There will be 1500 Olympic-specific buses to be used in city priority lanes and for the main artery between Vancouver and the host mountain resort of Whistler, B.C.

Spectators will have to book a $25 round trip ticket on a bus to Whistler to attend events.

Anyone wanting to drive up the Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler will have to pass through a checkpoint about midway through the 100-kilometre long route and prove they either live along the route or have a parking spot in Whistler.

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  The Hastings Racecourse (oval top centre) will close during the 2010 Winter Olympics because of its close proximity to the Pacific Coliseum (circle to the left). The racecourse its casino has been deemed to be too close and poses a security risk. (Image: Google Earth)