What will happen if the viaducts are torn down?

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Now that Vancouver council has approved the demolition plan for the Georgia and Dunsmuir Viaducts — what will construction look like? And what’s the timeline?

NEWS 1130 is following up with the city’s General Manager for Engineering, who insists the outcome will be adequate for drivers.

Jerry Dobrovolny says a construction traffic management plan is being worked out when it comes to possible detours and timing of the work.

Work on the $200-million tear down and rebuild is at least two years away with more planning needed and it would likely be another two years before it’s all finished.

As for the new street design, that six-lane Pacific Boulevard being promised won’t always be six lanes:

“It will be a six-lane arterial during rush hour, and then during the day we would allow parking back and it would be a four-lane road,” Dobrovolny says. He adds that’s similar to other major streets like Cambie and Granville.

A new four-lane Georgia Street ramp will pass over the existing Expo Boulevard and stadium loading areas to connect with the new Pacific Boulevard. Parking on that structure will not be allowed.

The City and partners are still working out what an alternative route for Prior Street will be. It’s still being decided whether Malkin Avenue or National Avenue will be the preferred route, and funding from the provincial and federal governments would be needed as an expensive overpass would have to cross rail lines to connect with Clark Drive.

Dobrovolny is confident the city will get that help, especially after assistance with the new Powell Street overpass.

Other details in the Viaducts plan:

• A 13.75 acre park is planned along the northeast edge of False Creek
• A forecast of $300 million in revenue from new condo developments will offset the $200-million project cost, according to Dobrovolny
• Buildings will not have to be as close to sidewalks as they typically are in Vancouver because the city has more land to work with
• Some expropriation for this project may be needed, but Dobrovolny says it will be kept to a minimum
• Dobrovolny says city modelling shows traffic will be accommodated by the new Pacific Boulevard and its connections, as well as the existing road network around Gastown, Chinatown, and the Downtown Eastside — but some congestion can be expected during peak times
• The skate park underneath the Georgia Viaduct (dubbed World Class by Dobrovolny) will be moved to a new location, or stay close to where it is with some minor changes
• The city will be working with different cultural groups to incorporate some of their history into the new neighbourhood