Vancouver Urged to Implement Bus-Only Detour Amid Broadway Service Disruptions

Vancouver is currently grappling with significant traffic issues due to the closure of a major route on Broadway. The shutdown, affecting the segment between Main and Quebec, is anticipated to last for approximately four months. As a result, transit advocates are urging the city to implement a bus-only detour to alleviate congestion.

Impact of Broadway Service Disruptions

On the very first day of the closure, officials from the transit advocacy group Movement monitored traffic during rush hour. They observed that vehicle congestion escalated rapidly. Denis Agar, the executive director of Movement, stated that hundreds of cars were blocking the passage of nearly 50,000 bus riders daily along Broadway.

• Estimated daily bus riders on the affected route: 50,000
• Daily trips made by the 9 and 99 bus routes: 46,000

According to Agar, the detour routes have caused buses to stall in heavy traffic. This situation has resulted in delays and congestion on some of the busiest transit routes in the region, creating ripple effects beyond the immediate area. Buses not only face delays on Broadway but also struggle to reach key destinations like Commercial-Broadway, the University of British Columbia (UBC), and Boundary Road.

Call for Bus-Only Detour

In response to the ongoing issues, Movement and Vision Zero Vancouver are advocating for a bus-only detour while allowing local access for businesses along Broadway. Agar believes the necessary changes could be implemented easily, primarily requiring the installation of signs and road markings.

He cited successful examples from other cities, such as Toronto’s King Street bus route, demonstrating that prioritizing transit can coexist with access for businesses. The Broadway closure is part of the Broadway Subway Project, a construction initiative aimed at improving transit services in the region.

As Vancouver navigates these disruptions, the need for effective solutions becomes more pressing. Advocates will continue to lobby for changes that serve the interests of both transit riders and local businesses in the wake of the Broadway service disruptions.

Further comments from provincial authorities have been sought by 1130 NewsRadio, but responses have yet to be received.