Drivers take note: Later this month, the City of Vancouver is making a major change to traffic flow on Cordova Street.
Starting May 25, Cordova will run as a two-way street for all vehicles between Richards Street and Gore Avenue.
The city says this is being done to "support public space enhancements on Water Street, car-free Pedestrian Zone Sundays, and improve access for residents, service providers and visitors."
Making Cordova a two-way street is one of the ways the city is addressing feedback from its pilot of making a portion of Gastown car-free last summer.
Generally, public feedback was positive. Businesses were a little more split with many having a positive view of the pilot, but some raised concerns about access to the area for people driving to Gastown (including visitors, tour busses, and suppliers).
The pilot continues, with modifications, this summer.
Changing the flow of traffic on Cordova to two-way "is expected to significantly improve vehicle circulation and access to the area," explains the city.
The change will also allow the city to plan for a potential future expansion to the Powell Street overpass. To that end, in support of the two-waying of Cordova, traffic lanes on Powell Street between Gore Avenue and Columbia Street will be modified to encourage through-traffic to divert to Cordova.
Work is underway to convert Cordova Street for two-way traffic.
Motorists can expect the change to be in place into September.
