Olympic lanes reopened, parking restrictions lifted

Vancouver's much-maligned Olympic lanes reopened to the public Tuesday morning, and many of the city's temporary Games parking and stopping restrictions were lifted.

The right-hand lanes reserved for TransLink buses and Olympic accredited vehicles on Burrard, Seymour, Howe, Pender, Cambie, Broadway, Georgia and Hastings streets are gone and will not be brought back for the Paralympic Games.

A number of parking and stopping restrictions have also ended – though some remain, and others will be returning.

Residents of neighbourhoods surrounding Olympic venues were advised by the city in January that they would be allowed to have one licensed visitor vehicle parked on their street for the duration of the Olympics.

The restrictions around Pacific Coliseum are finished, but the restrictions around the Hillcrest Olympic venue return from March 12-21.

And stopping and parking restrictions will remain active until the end of the Paralympic Games on the following streets:

• Hastings Street between Main and Burrard streets
• Smith Street between Expo Boulevard and Howe Street
• Nelson Street between Thurlow and Beatty streets
• King Edward Avenue between Oak and Sophia streets
• Cambie Street between King Edward and 37th avenues
• 2nd/5th Avenue between Hemlock and Main streets
• Main Street from 2nd to Terminal avenues

Violators face a $100 fine and an automatic tow. Check posted signs or visit the City of Vancouver parking website for more details.

The Georgia Viaduct leading out of the downtown core was also reopened on Tuesday.

The Dunsmuir Viaduct leading into downtown won't be open until Thursday, however, as crews install a bike-only lane similar to the one in place on the Burrard Street Bridge.

The viaducts close again from March 10 to 12 in preparation for the Paralympic Opening Ceremony. The Cambie Street Bridge will also be closed on opening day.

Remaining road closures

Road closures around the Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Village, including Columbia, Cook, Crowe, Manitoba and Ontario streets, remain in effect until March 24.

First Avenue between Quebec and Wylie will stay blocked off until March 31.

Closures on Pacific and Expo boulevards near BC Place and Canada Hockey Place remain in effect until March 15.

With files from The Canadian Press

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  A sign notes parking restrictions prior to and during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games and during the Paralympic Games near the Vancouver Olympic Centre, the curling and wheelchair curling venue. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)