Plan would not affect traffic
JEFF HODSON
METRO VANCOUVER

Following in the track of its successful bike-lane trial on the Burrard Street Bridge, the city is now considering a dedicated bicycle lane on the Dunsmuir Viaduct.

The two-way bike lane, which would be separated from traffic by concrete barriers, would create a strong East-West connection between the downtown and the heavily used Adanac Street bikeway to East Vancouver, said Vision Vancouver Coun. Geoff Meggs.

The beauty of the plan, he added, is that it doesn’t negatively impact motorists.

One of the viaduct’s three traffic lanes was cordoned off several years ago to facilitate the construction of the Spectrum/Costco development near GM Place.

The staff recommendation, which comes before council Thursday, would see existing concrete barriers shifted to the viaduct’s northernmost lane from the southernmost lane —maintaining two traffic lanes into downtown. The cost of the project is $300,000.

The proposed configuration would result in a separated, four-metre-wide, bike-only lane as well as two narrow traffic lanes heading into downtown. The existing sidewalk would be unchanged.

The staff report is also looking at something that could have a large impact on traffic — how to implement separated bike lanes in the downtown peninsula.

Meggs warned that there are no easy answers downtown as separated bicycle lanes would have to come at the expense of parking spots or traffic lanes.