The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are fast approaching. With this history-making event come changes to traffic patterns, thousands more people in the city and increased demand of public transport.

   Let's have a look at the numbers first:

5,500              Olympic athletes and team officials

1,350              Paralympic athletes and team officials        

80+                 Participating countries (Olympic Games)

40+                 Participating countries (Paralympic Games)           

4,500              Vehicles in VANOC’s fleet

55,000            Games workforce

65+                Sites and facilities

10,000            Accredited media

135,000           Spectators at Vancouver events (daily)

58,000             Spectators at Whistler events (daily)

60,000+           Participants at Live Sites (daily)

 

With hundreds of thousands visitors and locals the Metro Vancouver area will still be accessible:

• No passes are required
• North Shore crossings and other bridges open
• Construction will be carefully managed
• Parkades are open
• Harbour Air/Helijet operational (parkade closed)
• Downtown Vancouver is not a ‘red zone’
• Businesses and residences are accessible

  PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR VANCOUVER'S DOWNTOWN TRANSPORTATION PLAN

There will be, however, Olympic Lanes from February 4^th to the 28^th.

Have are the facts:

• Designated routes
• Reliable travel for athletes, officials, media
• Dedicated lanes in key areas
• 24 hours/ day; seven days/ week Feb 4 to 28
• Georgia, Burrard, Howe, Seymour, Hastings, Broadway, Pender and Cambie
• TransLink buses also permitted

Also note that there will be some Security Based Road Closures mid January to March 1^st

• Expo & Pacific Boulevard (Smithe to Quebec Streets)
• Georgia and Dunsmuir Viaducts
• Quebec Street (Terminal to Second Avenue)
• Canada Place and Waterfront Road
• Midlothian Avenue (Dinmont Avenue to Ontario Street)
• Renfrew Street (Hastings to McGill Streets)

 and… Pedestrian Corridors

• Noon to midnight; Feb 12 to 28
• Bicycles, pedicabs permitted
• Cross-streets open
• Granville St (Helmcken to Cordova), Robson St (Beatty to Bute), The Hamilton/Mainland corridor (David Lam Park to Georgia), Beatty St (Smithe to Dunsmuir)

 The bridges to and from North Vancouver will be open but do expect considerable traffic volumes.

 

The goal of the transportation plan is to reduce vehicle traffic by at least 30%.

 

The Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association is strongly encouraging businesses to stay open – ideally with extended hours – to participate in the excitement and to consider using alternative forms of transportation to get here.

 

Employees are encouraged to choose from the following TravelSmart Choices:

• Transit
• Walk / Cycle
• Rideshare / Carpool
• Telework
• Work options (flexible hours/ days, unused vacation)
  

 There will also be some Transit Enhancements to make traffic run a little smoother:

• Canada Line SkyTrain
• Jan 21 City of Vancouver’s 2010 Streetcar (to Mar 21)
• Feb 1 Enhanced NightBus
• Feb 1 Bus detours (25 routes)
• Feb 8 Third SeaBus (10 min. frequency/50% more service); extended to 2:30am
• Feb 12 West Coast Express (extended service)
• Feb 12 180 on demand buses
• Feb 12 SkyTrain increased frequency
• Feb 12 Expo/Millenium SkyTrain extended hours to 2:15am

 The XXI Olympic Winter Games will be challenging but DON’T FORGET THE FUN STUFF, after all Vancouver is hosting the world.

 

Our goals should be:

• Business “keeps moving”
• At least a 30% reduction in vehicle traffic
• Showcase our region – one of the most liveable places in the world
• Contribute to the success of the Games
• Leave a legacy of sustainable travel
  

For FURTHER information:

Websites:

• travelsmart2010.ca
• vancouver2010.com/gameplan
• vancouver.ca
• rbcroyalbank.com/olympicbusiness

 

• TravelSmart Team (TransLink) - 604.216.3299; travelsmart@translink.ca

 

• Vancouver 2010 Operations Engagement Team - 604.403.2309; info@vancouver2010.com

 

Enjoy the Games!