Congestion near Vancouver's busy cruise ship terminal means a new checkpoint is being set up.
The Port of Vancouver announced new traffic restrictions near the intersection of East Waterfront Road and Main Street earlier this year; now the port authority is implementing new restrictions to be overseen by a checkpoint aimed at curtailing through-traffic in the busy area.
"Effective Monday, April 8, drivers of non-commercial vehicles wishing to access Waterfront Road from the Main Street overpass will need to demonstrate proof of business," reads a press release from the Port of Vancouver. "Those without it will be turned around."
"All commercial vehicles, taxis and rideshares, as well as those accessing Harbour Air, Helijet and CRAB Park, will be permitted access without proof of business."
There are a few options to show proof of business:
- Employee ID (with address bordering Waterfront Road)
- Business card that matches photo I.D., i.e. a driver’s licence
- Parking decal for a Waterfront Road parking lot
- Exhibitor pass for the west or east convention centres
The port authority notes that the increased congestion is due to roadwork happening in Gastown which has created detours and closed off Powell and Water streets as an east-west route in the area heading from Main Street to Canada Place.
"This includes morning westbound traffic volumes roughly doubling, with almost 1,000 passenger vehicles using Waterfront Road in a 90-minute period," notes the port.
The restrictions are expected to last until the end of the work in Gastown.
Waterfront Road is north of the train tracks in the area and leads to the same area. Hastings Street is the next closest street directly connecting the two areas.
"Waterfront Road plays a critical role supporting operations at the Canada Place cruise terminal, as a key port access route that passenger buses and businesses provisioning visiting cruise ships [use]," states the Port of Vancouver.
