Dunsmuir bike lane on fast track

Rush on for June 15 completion

JEFF HODSON/METRO VANCOUVER

City workers construct a barrier along Dunsmuir Street yesterday as part of a dedicated bicycle lane trial that will separate cyclists from motorists.

Published: May 25, 2010 5:10 a.m.

Last modified: May 25, 2010 2:13 a.m.

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Work has hurriedly begun on a dedicated bike lane through downtown Vancouver only days after it was unanimously passed by city councillors.

City crews even worked over the Victoria Day holiday, assembling rebar and wooden pour forms in preparation of a concrete barrier that will separate cyclists from vehicles along Dunsmuir Street.

The $810,000, two-way separated bike lane is aimed for completion by June 15, the mid-point of Vancouver’s bike month. It removes one vehicle lane along Dunsmuir between Beatty to Hornby streets.

“To me, this goes deeper in some respects than we did with the Burrard Street Bridge,” said Coun. Geoff Meggs.

“Really, it’s going right into the heart of the city which was originally designed before the era of the automobile.”

Dunsmuir was chosen, he added, because it minimizes the impact on transit. Construction means that a number of buses, including the 210, 211 and 214, have been rerouted along Pender Street.

The cycling lane also means right-hand turn restrictions and a loss of 13 parking spots. It will also affect a taxi zone outside the St. Regis Hotel and valet parking for a couple of clubs, he added.

A troubleshooter is ready to work with impacted businesses and motorists to find solutions that don’t compromise the lane trial, Meggs said.

During construction, the usual three traffic lanes will converge into a single traffic lane.

Over the next three weeks it could translate in long delays for motorists.

Meggs said he has his fingers crossed that traffic won’t be too badly impacted during construction and said the real impact won’t be known until after the middle of June.

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