BC Gov News

The RBC GranFondo Whistler Cycling event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. Motorists can expect possible delays on Highway 99 of up to three hours from West Vancouver to Whistler between 6 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Cyclists participating in the event will travel over the Lions Gate Bridge, up Taylor Way and Cypress Bowl Road, along the Upper Levels Highway 1 and Highway 99, finishing in Whistler.

Motorists are advised to obey all traffic control personnel and be prepared to stop during this large-scale cycling event. 

To ensure safety, the following traffic changes, detours and delays will be in effect:

• Stanley Park Causeway and Lions Gate Bridge - closed to northbound traffic from 6 a.m.-8 a.m. During this period, 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.
• Stanley Park Drive, Vancouver- Access to Stanley Park Drive, from Georgia Street, closed to traffic from 6 a.m. - 8 a.m.
• North & West Marine Drive Westbound Closed, Capilano Road to Taylor Way - Between Capilano Road and Taylor Way, Marine Drive westbound will be closed, with the exception of buses destined for Lions Gate Bridge permitted. For access to Lions Gate Bridge and West Vancouver, vehicle traffic will detour to Lower Capilano Road, Welch Street, Wardance Street and Taylor Way, between 6 a.m.- 8:30 a.m. Access to the Lions Gate Bridge southbound will remain open via Marine Drive eastbound, from the West Vancouver side.
• West Taylor Way - Access to Taylor Way between Marine Drive and Highway 1 will be closed to traffic and pedestrians, from 6 a.m.-8:30 a.m. Local traffic to use local residential streets as alternate routes. Residents of Taylor Place will be restricted from accessing Taylor Way until re-opening. Expect some delays in this area.
• West Cypress Bowl Road - 500 event cyclists will travel along Cypress Bowl Road with police escorts, up and down the hill. Cypress Bowl Road closed from Highway #1 from 6 a.m.-8:30 a.m. Local traffic only from 6 a.m.-8:30 a.m. Cypress Bowl Road closed to southbound traffic from 7:15 a.m.-8:15 a.m. Expect delays in this area.
• Highway 1 - Two Eastbound Lanes Closed - The two eastbound lanes of Highway 1 will be closed between Taylor Way and Horseshoe Bay, from 6 a.m.-10 a.m. Motorists to use Marine Drive eastbound, as the alternate route. Expect some minor delays along Marine Drive.
• Ferry Traffic and Local Horseshoe Bay Traffic - Eastbound ferry traffic and local traffic exiting from Horseshoe Bay eastbound, will be re-routed to the Marine Drive detour route through West Vancouver, from 6 a.m.-10:15 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 heavy truck traffic, will be redirected to a temporary storage location at Horseshoe Bay between 6 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Heavy truck traffic will re-enter Highway 1, when the eastbound highway lanes are re-opened. Heavy truck traffic will be restricted from the Marine Drive detour route, through West Vancouver, during this period.
• Highway 99 Southbound (four kilometres north of Horseshoe Bay) - at Pasco Road - Southbound Highway 99 traffic will be detoured at the Pasco Road exit, via the Old Highway 99 route (also known as Horseshoe Bay Drive), to the Marine Drive detour in West Vancouver. This detour will be in effect between 6 a.m.-11 a.m.
• Highway 1 Westbound - At Exit 2 (at Horseshoe Bay) - Detour for westbound Highway 1 traffic and northbound Highway 99 traffic, routed via Exit 2 to Old Highway 99 (also known as Horseshoe Bay Drive). Traffic will enter Highway 99 northbound at the Pasco Road Highway 99 access. Detour will be in effect between 6 a.m.-11 a.m.
• Highway 99 Northbound - Horseshoe Bay to Tunnel Point - Single lane alternating traffic will be in effect for 2.6 kilometres until approximately 11 a.m. Expect delays in this area.
• Highway 99 - at Porteau Cove Provincial Park - Single lane alternating traffic will be in effect for 1.3 kilometres until approximately 11 a.m. Expect delays in this area.
• Highway 99 - at Furry Creek - Local Furry Creek traffic re-routing via internal roads to access Highway 99 northbound and southbound. Local Furry Creek traffic to obey signs and traffic control persons. Expect delays in this area.
• Highway 99 - at Britannia Beach - Single lane alternating traffic will be in effect for one kilometre, with no northbound right turn permitted at Main Street (also known as Copper Drive), until approximately noon. Expect delays in this area.
• Highway 99 - Murrin Lake Park to Squamish - Traffic signals along this section will be flashing, with traffic control persons on site.
• 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.-11 a.m. No right turns northbound from the highway permitted, and no left turns southbound from the highway permitted until after 11 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.-11 a.m. Expect intermittent delays between 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Highway 99 from Alta Lake Road to Function Junction (six kilometres south of Whistler) - 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 in effect until approximately 4 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 entered 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, alterations as follows:

• 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.

Expect delays at Whistler Way

• Northlands Boulevard at Village Gate - Traffic signal will be flashing.
• Traffic Control persons on site until approximately 4:30 p.m.

For more information and maps of the affected routes please visit:  www.september6.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

Media Contacts:

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