The City of Vancouver is asking residents to continue leaving their cars at home for a few more days to accommodate the end of the 2010 Games – and those who don't will be facing even more Olympic road restrictions.
Dale Bracewell, director of Olympic transportation, told ctvbc.c.a that roughly 150,000 people are expected to show up downtown on Sunday, the day of the Games' Closing Ceremony.
"It's the final day. We want people to come downtown, celebrate, but please leave your vehicle behind and walk, transit or cycle there," Bracewell said.
Roughly 650 motor coaches and 12 motorcades will be transporting athletes and performers to BC Place for the ceremony, and officials have ordered a few extra road closures to make way for the procession.
The Cambie Bridge will be closed to vehicles from 8 a.m. Sunday to midnight, Bracewell said. Pedestrians and cyclists will be free to cross.
Downtown, the curb lane of Nelson Street between Beatty and Burrard Streets will be converted into an Olympic lane from noon to midnight.
Pacific Boulevard between Homer and Drake Streets will be closed between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., with the eastbound lane remaining closed until 6 a.m. Monday.
Bracewell said that so far, traffic congestion has been minimal thanks to the continued effort of residents to find alternative transportation.
According to the city, an average of 20,000 people ride the Olympic Line streetcar per day, and 5,000 cyclists bike in and out of the downtown core.
"The numbers are approaching our summertime volumes," Bracewell said.
But Sunday could still prove problematic. David Atkins, producer of the Closing Ceremony, has teased a show-stopping event with performances from some high-profile Canadian artists – and organizers predict it will be one of the busiest nights of the Games.
Extended Canada Line hours
Fortunately for Olympic fans, the Canada Line will be extending its operating hours on Sunday to transport Closing Ceremony crowds.
The line will run all night long clearing out the downtown core, and continue to accommodate the mass exodus of tourists heading to the Vancouver airport on Monday.
Roughly 35,000 Olympians, officials, media and visitors are due to fly out on Monday, and all passengers are advised to arrive up to four hours early.
For more information on road closures and transportation options, visit the TravelSmart2010 website.
With files from The Canadian Press