The post-long weekend drive in and out of Vancouver could wind up being more of a chore for some drivers.
A full closure of East First between Clark Drive and Nanaimo Street begins July 3 and will last until Aug. 31.
Partial lane closures have been taking place since the end of May to accommodate construction on a new gas line. FortisBC is replacing 20 kilometres of gas line between Coquitlam and Vancouver.
Drivers won’t be the only ones inconvenienced by the full closure of part of East First — so will nearby residents and shop owners.
FortisBC spokesman Trevor Wales said the utility has been working with the Commercial Drive Business Society to address concerns about issues such as access and parking. It’s also worked one-on-one with businesses.
“Some of the ways that we’re offering support throughout construction is by informing nearby residents and commuters that businesses will remain open throughout construction, even though roads may be closed,” Wales wrote in an email to the Courier. “We’re highlighting businesses as part of a regular project newsletter, on our social media channels and project website, talkingenergy.ca, and also promoting them through additional events and prize packages.”
Fortis will hold its fourth “coffee chat,” where the public can speak directly to its team about their questions or concerns, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Cassia Bake Shop June 28.
Wales said the utility has also met with the Grandview-Woodland Area Council and it’s been working with residents whose concerns are largely focused on traffic impacts in the neighbourhood. He said Fortis and the City of Vancouver are working together to mitigate those concerns.
In response to feedback from the community, he said additional “local traffic only” signs and speed reader boards were set up in local neighbourhoods.
“We’ve also been working collaboratively with the city to have dedicated VPD personnel deployed when needed to cut down on short-cutting and enforce detour signage,” he wrote, adding that the city will continue to monitor traffic and make adjustments when necessary. Rush hour regulations on Broadway, for instance, were extended on June 25 in anticipation of the upcoming full closure.
Fortis and the city are also working with the VPD and neighbourhoods on enforcement at problem areas to deal with drivers who are running stop signs, failing to yield and speeding.
The City of Vancouver, meanwhile, is encouraging commuters to choose alternate routes that suit their destinations, but the city expects most drivers will take Hastings or Broadway.
Some measures put in place to help manage the traffic during the gas line construction work include:
- Trenchless construction across major intersections to avoid impacts on north/south arterials, including Commercial Drive, Clark Drive and Nanaimo Street
- Updated rush hour and bus lane regulations along Broadway and Hastings Street by extending morning regulations by 30 minutes (7 to 10 a.m.) and late afternoon regulations by one hour (3 to 7 p.m.).
- Temporary traffic calming measures on Adanac Street to help reduce non-local traffic travelling through the area
- Limiting the use of the Adanac Overpass, from Highway 1 to Cassiar, to buses and people walking or cycling
- Dedicated VPD personnel to enforce detour signage and deter short-cutting
- Installation of new left turn lanes, north and southbound, on Renfrew Street at East Hastings Street.
@naoibh
