Vancouver Alert: East Broadway Block Closed for Four Months Starting Today
Attention Vancouver drivers: Starting today at 7 a.m., a vital section of East Broadway will be shut down for a four-month period. The closure will affect the stretch of East Broadway between Main and Quebec streets, with no vehicle access allowed.
This closure is essential for the ongoing construction of the Broadway Subway project. Crews will be conducting various activities, including removing traffic deck panels and supporting girders, backfilling, road repairs, crane operations, and landscaping as needed.
Despite the road closure, pedestrians can still use the sidewalks, and access to businesses and residences in the area will be maintained. Transit routes will be diverted to East 8th Avenue, and drivers are advised to seek alternative routes to avoid delays.
The decision to close this block was announced by the provincial government last October. However, concerns have been raised by Neil Wyles, the executive director of the Mount Pleasant BIA, regarding the potential impact on local businesses along Broadway. Wyles expressed worries about the extended closures and the uncertainty surrounding the project timeline.
Originally scheduled for completion in 2025, the Broadway Subway project is now projected to open in fall 2027, running two years behind schedule and over budget. The total cost of the project is expected to reach nearly $3 billion.
Once operational, the 5.7-kilometre Broadway Subway line will extend the SkyTrain Millennial Line, connecting VCC-Clark Station to Arbutus. The line will feature both elevated and underground sections, with six underground stations planned.
The new subway line is anticipated to save commuters along Broadway up to 30 minutes per day, as per the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Transit.