The GranFondo Cycling event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012. More than 7,000 cyclists are expected to participate in the ride from Vancouver to Whistler.

As a result, motorists can expect possible delays of up to three hours between West Vancouver and Whistler between 6 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Motorists are advised to obey all traffic control personnel and be prepared to stop during this large-scale cycling event.

During the event, traffic signals between West Vancouver and Whistler will be adjusted to flash. Speed limits will be reduced to 60 km/h on sections of Highway 99 between Horseshoe Bay and Whistler. Motorists are also advised to plan their travel well in advance, drive with caution and follow signs.

For the safety of cyclists and motorists, the following traffic changes and detours will be in effect:

• Stanley Park Causeway and Lions Gate Bridge - The causeway and Lions Gate Bridge will be closed to northbound traffic, from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Motorists are advised to use the Ironworker's Memorial Second Narrows Bridge. One southbound lane will remain open on the Lions Gate Bridge and causeway.
• North Vancouver/Marine Drive - Westbound Marine Drive will be closed between Capilano Road and Taylor Way. Traffic will be rerouted to Lower Capilano Road, Welch Street, Wardance Street and Taylor Way, from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Southbound access to the Lions Gate Bridge will remain open via Marine Drive eastbound from the West Vancouver side.
• West Marine Drive and Taylor Way intersection - Access to Taylor Way will be restricted for intermittent periods, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Highway 1 - Both eastbound lanes on Highway 1 will be closed between Taylor Way and Horseshoe Bay, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Motorists are advised to use Marine Drive eastbound.
• Highway 1 westbound at Exit 2 (at Horseshoe Bay) - Westbound Highway 1 traffic and northbound Highway 99 traffic will be re-routed via Exit 2 to Old Highway 99 (Horseshoe Bay Drive). Traffic will enter Highway 99 northbound at the Pasco Road Highway 99 access. Detour will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Ferry traffic and Local Horseshoe Bay traffic - Horseshoe Bay traffic will be re-routed to Marine Drive through West Vancouver, from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
• Horseshoe Bay at Highway 99 Junction/Heavy Truck Restrictions - Eastbound heavy truck traffic travelling between Horseshoe Bay and Taylor Way and Highway 99 southbound will be re-directed to a temporary storage location at Horseshoe Bay, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Heavy truck traffic will be restricted from the Marine Drive, through West Vancouver, during this period and can re-enter Highway 1, when the eastbound highway lanes are re-opened.
• Highway 99 southbound/Pasco Road/West Southbound Highway 99 traffic will be re-routed at the Pasco Road exit, via the Old Highway 99 route (Horseshoe Bay Drive), to Marine Drive in West Vancouver, from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Highway 99 - Horseshoe Bay to Tunnel Point - Counterflow traffic adjacent to cyclists will be in effect at Tunnel Point, with one lane northbound and one lane southbound available for motorists, leading to single-lane alternating traffic for 2.6 km, from 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Highway 99 at Porteau Cove Provincial Park - Counterflow traffic adjacent to cyclists in effect, with one lane northbound and one lane southbound available for motorists, leading to single-lane alternating traffic for 1.3 km, from 7:15 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Highway 99 at Furry Creek - Local Furry Creek traffic will be re-routed via internal roads to access Highway 99 northbound and southbound, from 7:15 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
• Highway 99 at Britannia Beach - Single-lane alternating traffic will be in effect for 1 km, with no northbound right turn permitted at Main Street (Copper Drive), from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Highway 99 - Murrin Lake Park to Squamish - Traffic signals along this section will be flashing, with traffic control persons on site.
• Highway 99 at Cleveland Avenue and Loggers Lane - Traffic signals will be flashing. No traffic access to Loggers Lane from Highway 99 at Cleveland Avenue or Industrial Way. Motorists are advised to use Centennial Way underpass to Loggers Lane, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Highway 99 - Valley Drive to Depot Road/Squamish - Traffic signals will be flashing and traffic movements, both to and from the east side of Highway 99, will be restricted and or closed between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. No right turns northbound from the highway permitted, and no left turns southbound from the highway, between 8 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Affected Highway 99 intersections for closures and restrictions are:
• Valley Drive, Scott Crescent, Mamquam Road, Garibaldi Way, Depot Road and Alice Lake; ALL CLOSED between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.

• Highway 99 - Alice Lake Road to Function Junction (6 km south of Whistler) - Motorists should expect counterflow traffic adjacent to cyclists, through this area. Cyclists will occupy the northbound slow lane. One lane northbound and one lane southbound available for motorists. Counterflow is in effect from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Highway 99 - Function Junction to Village Gate Boulevard, Whistler - Signals will be flashing and traffic will be stopped intermittently at the entrances and exits to key Whistler destinations. Expect major delays entering and exiting the east side of Highway 99 in Whistler.
• Alta Lake Road - Alternate Route to Highway 99, Whistler - Alta Lake road will be available as an alternate traffic route from Highway 99, in Whistler.
• Whistler - Various Cross Street Intersections with Highway 99:
• Blackcomb Way West - Closed in both directions.
• Village Gate Boulevard - Closed to northbound and southbound traffic from Highway 99.
• Lorimer Road and Whistler Way - Both roads are open as alternate routes to Village Gate.
• Whistler Northlands Boulevard at Village Gate - Traffic signal will be flashing. Traffic Control persons will be on site, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Time: 6 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Location:

Downtown Vancouver to Whistler via Highway 99
For more information and maps of the affected routes, please visit: www.september8.ca
For up-to-date route information during the event, please visit DriveBC at: www.drivebc.ca
Or on your mobile device at: www.drivebc.ca/mobile

Contact:

Kate Trotter
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241