A city-led community panel is recommending the National-Charles option for the new False Creek Flats arterial road.
The new arterial route will divert traffic from Prior/Venables, which has an at-grade rail crossing that regularly causes traffic backups, particularly with increased rail traffic to and from the Port of Vancouver. The Strathcona Residents Association has also been pushing for a new arterial route to help calm traffic on Prior/Venables.
The new route will include an overpass over the Burrard Inlet Rail Line and will connect the new St. Paul’s Hospital to Clark Drive.
Five options were considered by the community panel: Prior/Venables – Underpass; Malkin North; National-Grant; National-Charles; National-Civic Facilities.
In an instant runoff vote, National-Charles was selected as the panel’s recommended arterial route, receiving 67.6 per cent of the vote.
Route includes two sharp 90° turns
The National-Charles route will result in the relocation of the Vancouver Fire Department’s Fire Training Facility and the Heavy Urban Search and Rescue Facility.
Businesses on “Produce Row” will also be impacted, with building modifications, site reconfiguration and property acquisitions required.
The road alignment around Trillium Park also poses a challenge, with two 90 degree turns planned (similar to the 90 degree turn at McGill and Nanaimo in East Vancouver, which slows traffic significantly)
The project also includes a pedestrian and bike structure for the Adanac Bikeway, which may be an underpass or overpass, on either Union Street or Prior Street. Prior/Venables will be closed at the existing rail crossing, with only emergency vehicle access permitted.
The City of Vancouver and the Park Board will use the panel’s recommendation as a significant input in the selection of a grade-separated arterial alignment through the False Creek Flats before making a recommendation to city council later in 2019.
The total project cost is expected to be between $345-485 million.
To read more about the options considered by the panel, click here.
