Broadway Closure Begins Monday for Four-Month Duration
Starting this Monday, Vancouver drivers should prepare for significant disruptions as East Broadway closes to vehicle traffic. This four-month closure, effective at 7 a.m., affects the stretch between Main Street and Quebec Street. The closure supports ongoing construction for the Broadway Subway.
Details of the Broadway Closure
The Broadway Subway Project will see crews working between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The planned activities include:
- Removing traffic deck panels and supporting girders
- Backfilling and road repairs
- Crane operations
- Saw cutting and welding activities
- Landscaping as needed
- Hydro vac operations
Despite the closures, sidewalks will remain accessible for pedestrians, allowing businesses and residences to continue operations.
Concerns from Local Businesses
The provincial government announced this closure in October, and local businesses are expressing deep concerns about its impact. Neil Wyles, executive director of the Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association, has raised alarms regarding the potential difficulties businesses may face during this time.
Wyles highlighted the challenges businesses endured over the last five years and voiced skepticism about the closure’s duration. “They say four months, but I take that with a grain of salt,” he stated. This closure is a part of ongoing work that will lead to future closures along Cambie Street and Granville Street, effectively creating a “rolling closure” for nearly a year.
Broadway Subway Project Timeline and Cost
The Broadway Subway, an extension of the SkyTrain Millennium Line, was initially set to be completed by 2025. However, the project is now projected to be finished by fall 2027. This delay represents a two-year setback and an estimated $100 million budget overrun, bringing the total project cost to nearly $3 billion.
Benefits of the Subway
Once operational, the 5.7-kilometre Broadway Subway line will connect VCC-Clark Station to Arbutus. The project involves:
- 700 metres of elevated track
- Five kilometres of underground tunneling
- Six underground stations
According to the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit, the subway is expected to save the average commuter on Broadway up to 30 minutes in travel time each day.
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