Construction is slated to begin Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, on a major pedestrian and cyclist safety improvement project for the Stanley Park Causeway, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone announced today.

“Safety is a top priority and this vital project will provide a much wider walking and cycling route along the busy Stanley Park Causeway,” said Stone. “In addition, walking and cycling promotes health and fitness through increased physical activity and we’d like to see better shared use of these sidewalks through this major traffic corridor.”

This project includes widening the sidewalks and installing bicycle fencing on both sides of the Stanley Park Causeway, a 2.2-kilometre segment of Highway 99 that provides one of two connections between Vancouver and the North Shore, as well as access to Stanley Park.

MRC Total Build of Langley has been awarded a $4.37-million contract to undertake the work, which is anticipated to be finished by the end of 2015.

“The ministry's improvements to the Stanley Park Causeway will provide a safer and more comfortable cycling and walking route for the thousands of people who use it each day, and will encourage many more to use active transportation along this important connector,” said HUB Cycling executive director Erin O’Melinn. “Improvements such as safety barriers, path widening and improved signage are important steps to making Stanley Park Causeway suitable for all ages and abilities.”

During construction, pedestrian and cyclist detours will be in place via Hanson Trail and Pipeline Drive between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays. Pedestrians and cyclists are advised to watch for detour signs and can follow Twitter updates for sidewalk open/closed status at: @DriveBC_LM or @DriveBC

Ministry staff and HUB Cycling members and volunteers will be on hand next Wednesday afternoon to help people on bikes navigate the northbound detours as this work begins.

Vehicle traffic on the causeway will not be affected during the daytime. There will be single-lane closures overnight on weekdays between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. and on weekends between 10 p.m. and 9 a.m., with one vehicle lane remaining open in each direction.

Investing in cycling and pedestrian infrastructure is a key component of B.C. on the Move, the Province’s 10-year transportation plan, and government is investing $18 million in the first three years alone toward improvements for cyclists and pedestrians.

Quick Facts:

• More than 2,200 cyclists and 200 pedestrians travel alongside the Stanley Park Causeway daily during the busy summer months.
• Funding for this project was announced on March 17, 2015, during the launch of B.C. on the Move.

Learn More:

The detour map for pedestrian and cyclists and additional project information are available at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/StanleyParkCauseway

Twitter feed for sidewalk open/closed status: @DriveBC_LM or @DriveBC

Drivers can visit www.drivebc.ca for up-to-date traffic advisories

B.C. on the Move is available online at: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/transportationplan/

Follow the work of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastucture at: http://tranbc.ca/

HUB Cycling information on this project at: bikehub.ca/SPC2015