VANCOUVER - The RBC GranFondo Cycling Event will take place Saturday, Sept. 10 between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
During the event, some traffic signals will be adjusted to flash, and speed limits on affected sections of Highway 1 and Highway 99 will be 60 km/h. Motorists should expect significant delays, exercise caution, follow signage, obey all traffic control personnel and be prepared to stop during this large-scale cycling event. It is anticipated 7,000 cyclists will participate. Delays of up to two hours may occur on Highway 99 between Porteau Cove and Britannia Beach from 7 a.m. to noon.
For the safety of the cyclists, motorists and spectators, the following detours will be in effect:
* Stanley Park Causeway and the Lions Gate Bridge - The Causeway and the Lions Gate Bridge will be closed to northbound traffic from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. During this period, motorists are advised to use the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Bridge. One southbound lane of the Lions Gate Bridge and the Causeway will remain open.
* North Vancouver - Westbound Marine Drive will be closed between Capilano Road and Taylor Way. Traffic will detour to Lower Capilano Road, Welch Street, Wardance Street and Taylor Way until approximately 10 a.m. Southbound access to the Lions Gate Bridge will remain open via Marine Drive eastbound from the West Vancouver side.
* West Vancouver - Marine Drive and Taylor Way Intersection - Access to Taylor Way will be restricted for intermittent periods until approximately 10 a.m.
* Taylor Way and Upper Levels Highway 1 - Westbound traffic will be re-routed via the westbound off ramp, through the Taylor Way traffic signal and back onto Highway 1. Westbound through-traffic will use the right/slow lane; cyclists will use the centre fast lane. This detour will be in effect from Taylor Way to Horseshoe Bay until approximately 10 a.m.
* Horseshoe Bay - Highway 99 to Tunnel Point - Traffic will detour via Exit 2 to the Old Highway 99 route (also known as Horseshoe Bay Drive). Northbound traffic will travel in the southbound fast lane, and re-enter at Tunnel Point to Highway 99. Southbound Highway 99 traffic will also be detoured along Horseshoe Bay Drive. This detour will be in effect until approximately 10:30 a.m.
* Highway 99 north of Tunnel Point to Porteau Road - Traffic will be subject to traffic pattern changes similar to the Olympic lane configuration, where a third lane was created within the two-lane sections. One lane northbound, and one lane southbound available for motorists.
* Highway 99 at Porteau Cove Provincial Park - Counterflow will be in effect, with one lane northbound and one lane southbound available for motorists, leading to single-lane alternating traffic for 1.3 km until approximately 11 a.m. Expect delays in this area.
* Highway 99 from Furry Creek to Britannia - Counterflow traffic will be in effect, with one lane northbound and one lane south southbound available for motorists for 2.3 km, from the top of Furry Creek Hill to Britannia Beach until approximately 11:30 a.m.
* Highway 99, Britannia Beach - Single-lane alternating traffic will be in effect for 1 km, with no northbound right turn permitted at Main Street, until approximately 11:30 a.m. Expect delays in this area.
* Highway 99 from Murrin Park to Squamish- Signals - Various traffic signals along this section will be on flash mode, with traffic control personnel on duty.
* Highway 99 from Loggers Lane to Centennial Way in Squamish - Traffic flow will be normal on Highway 99 northbound in this section. Cyclists will divert to Loggers Lane northbound, with northbound vehicle traffic prohibited on Loggers Lane until 12 noon approximately. Cyclists will re-enter Highway 99 at Centennial Way and use the slow lane.
* Highway 99 from Valley Drive to Depot Road - Signals will be on flash mode and movement to and from the east side of the highway will be restricted and/or closed between 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. No right turns northbound from the highway and no left turns southbound from the highway will be permitted during this time. Affected Highway #99 intersections are: Valley Drive, Scott Crescent, Mamquam Road, Garibaldi Way, Depot Road and Alice Lake Road will be closed between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
* Highway 99 from Alice Lake Road to Function Junction (six km south of Whistler) - Expect to see counterflow traffic throughout this area. Cyclists will occupy the northbound slow lane. One lane northbound and one lane southbound available for motorists. Counterflow traffic in effect until approximately 4:15 p.m.
* Highway 99 from Function Junction to Village Gate Boulevard - signal will be on flash mode and traffic will be stopped intermittently at the entrances and exits to key destinations. Delays can be expected entering or exiting the east side of the highway.
Whistler - Various cross street intersections with Highway 99 will be affected as follows:
- Blackcomb Way West - closed in both directions.
- Village Gate Boulevard - closed to northbound regular traffic, with Lorimer Road and Whistler Way open as alternate routes. Expect delays at Whistler Way.
- Northlands Boulevard at Village Gate - traffic signal will be flashing and traffic control personnel will be on duty until approximately 4:30 p.m.
For more information, please visit the DriveBC website at: www.drivebc.ca
Or on your mobile device: www.drivebc.ca/mobile
Also check out the GranFondo website at www.september10.ca for more traffic information.
Media Contact:
Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241