New temporary street closures related to the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games were announced Tuesday, including the closure of the Cambie Street Bridge for four days in February and March.
Organizers say they expect 100,000 spectators and visitors to descend on the city's downtown core during the opening and closing ceremonies on Feb. 12 and 28, and for the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games on March. 12.
There will also be thousands of performers and production crews involved in an opening ceremony dress rehearsal on Feb. 10.
During all four of those days, the Cambie Street Bridge and Beatty Street (between Smithe and Georgia) will be closed between noon and midnight. However, they will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists.
Organizers say there will also be a lot of buses operating on many downtown streets on those days, adding to the congestion.
They are urging the public not to drive their cars to downtown during those days.
Officials also announced Tuesday that there will be roving street closures when the torch run reaches the city.
30 per cent traffic reduction goal
Olympic organizers have said they want to reduce traffic by five per cent in the downtown core each week leading up to the start of the Games.
Last week was the first week of that effort and officials said they managed to achieve only half that goal.
They are encouraging commuters to take transit, walk, or cycle to work, and to consider changing their work hours to avoid Games peak times of 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. from Feb. 12 to March 1.
A map of road closures can be viewed by clicking here.
More information about closures and transportation options can be found by clicking here.
A transportation information open house is planned for Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 800 Robson Street (Robson Square).
With files from CTV British Columbia's Stephen Smart
