The 5 Worst Places to Drive This Weekend

If you’re behind the wheel anywhere near downtown this long weekend, expect a hot mess of cars, construction and film crews harshing your mellow. Photo Dan Toulgoet

Traffic is typically a hot mess every Labour Day weekend, and this one may prove to be particularly challenging for virtually anyone on the roads.

The city issued a news release last week noting a double whammy of driving dilemmas: construction on the Burrard Street Bridge is ramping up and a slew of film work is happening throughout the downtown core.

As a result, street closures, re-routing and temporary parking restrictions will be in place throughout this weekend.

In light of Burrard Street Bridge work, motorists will be encouraged to use the Granville Street Bridge instead, and follow directions on changeable message boards and public signage. Access for local residents will be maintained.

The city is asking all road users plan their trips online via vancouver.ca/roadwork or through the VanConnect app.

Here are some of the highlighted hot spots:

1. Saturday, Sept. 2 to Sunday, Sept. 3:

• Burrard and Pacific Street. Full closure of the Burrard and Pacific intersection, Pacific from Thurlow to Hornby, and Burrard Bridge (2 a.m. to 8 a.m.); followed by a northbound closure along Burrard Street from Cornwall to Drake (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

Monday, Sept. 4:

• Pacific Street from Burrard to Thurlow Street. Full road closure of Pacific Street from Burrard to Thurlow (7 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

2. Saturday, Sept. 2

• West Georgia from Pender to Seymour Street. Full road closure of West Georgia from Pender to Seymour (4 a.m. to 1 p.m.).

• West Hastings from Bute to Howe Street. Full road closure of West Hastings from Bute to Howe (1 p.m. to 9 p.m.).

3. Sunday, Sept. 3:

• West Georgia from Pender to Seymour Street. Full road closure of West Georgia from Pender to Seymour (4 a.m. to 1 p.m.).

• West Hastings from Bute to Howe Street. Full road closure of West Hastings from Bute to Howe (1 p.m. to 9 p.m.).

4. Monday, Sept. 4

• West Hastings from Bute to Seymour St. Full road closure of West Hastings from Bute to Howe (1 p.m. to 9 p.m.).

5. Plot out your parking plan well in advance. Film work downtown will limit parking on a host of arterials: Howe, Pender, Seymour, and Thurlow streets.

@JohnKurucz

jkurucz@vancourier.com