Vancouver's Burrard Bridge is a place for motorists to avoid this weekend as construction crews begin the work of preparing the key commuter artery for a bike lane re-allocation trial that starts on Monday.
As previously announced, the City of Vancouver has decided to install dedicated bicycle and pedestrian lanes that will be separated from motorized traffic by concrete barriers.
"What we are saying is avoid the bridge if you can,'' said Wendy Stewart, a spokeswoman for the City.
Starting on Friday at 6:00 p.m., crews will begin to prepare the bridge for the installation of barriers and other changes.
As a result of this work, parking will be restricted on West 1st Ave., immediately adjacent to the south end of the bridge. Around the same time on Friday evening, pedestrians will be directed to the sidewalk on the west side of the bridge.
Expect delays
From about 10:00 p.m. on Friday, until early Monday morning, crews will be installing barriers and signs across the bridge. This work will result in extensive lane closures and traffic disruptions.
In addition, a charity run across the bridge on Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. will cause traffic delays.
While the bridge will remain open throughout the weekend, motorists are urged to avoid the bridge in order to give transit buses, emergency vehicles and city workers priority access.
Cyclists and pedestrians will still be able to use the bridge during the weekend. But they too are being warned to expect delays and detours.
Motorists who are planning to use Pacific Street at the north end of the bridge will experience intermittent lane closures starting on Wednesday and continuing Thursday and Friday as crews prepare for paving between Thurlow and Seymour streets on Saturday.
On Sunday evening, motorists are asked to avoid the same area of Pacific Street to allow crews space to paint new lines. Paving and line painting are subject to appropriate weather.
