Vancouver Viaduct Removal Proposal

On Tuesday July 24^th at 9:30 AM City council will hear the overall concept for the removal of the Georgia and Dunsmuir Viaducts. No recommendations or or decisions are being requested and delegations will not be heard at this meeting.

Highlights of the plan

• Elimination of the Georgia and Dunsmuir Viaducts

• Creation of a 25 acre park on the east end of False Creek, which is a 13% increase in the park space that would be available without the viaduct elimination.

• Enhanced pedestrian and bike connectivity including a bike bridge

• No existing or planned transit services

• 15-20% LESS capacity (515 Vehicles) at peak AM periods that will have to be accommodated by increased us of other east west roads

• 30-35% LESS capacity (915 Vehicles) at peak PM periods that will have to be accommodated by increased use of other east west roads.

• Estimated new expenditure of $80,000,000.00 which doesn't include buying the land needed or any previous obligations or the cost of soil remediation.

• Targets of half of all trips to/from downtown on foot, bikes, and transit by 2020 and at least two-thirds by 2040 which may or may not be realistic

Click on Vancouver Viaducts Study to view the Open House Display boards that tell the complete story from the planners viewpoint.

Who are the winners and losers of the viaduct removal proposal?

Winners

• Everyone who rides their bike from East Vancouver into downtown to and from work.
• Concord Pacific, the owners of the land that the city will need to buy to make this project move forward and who will be able to charge significantly more for condos that overlook a park and False Creek instead of the viaducts.
• The city who gets the higher taxes from the higher priced condos that will be developed.
• People who live close enough to the new park to be able to use it without having to use their car.

Losers

• Everyone who currently uses the viaducts especially daily to and from work.
• Everyone who uses the other east/west roads to/from downtown during the rush hours.
• Tax payers who have to pay for the removal of the viaducts and the building of the bike lanes and park.

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Area Map

(Click here to download a full PDF version of the above map.)

When you move into the West End, you will notice that most of the on street parking is by permit only as the above map shows.  For the full set of rules and regulations from the City of Vancouver click here. 

Parking Permit Rules

• Must be a West End resident
• Only valid for the areas on the above map
• Costs $75.99 per year (Payment can be made by cash, cheque, debit, or credit card)
• Expires May 31 each year
• Vehicles over 21 feet in length such as motorhomes, trucks and limos are not eligble for a permit
• Vehicle must have valid insurance to get a permit
• Permits may be refused if you have outstanding parking tickets
• Permits are assigned to your licence plate number so you need to get a replacement if you change license plates
• You must return the original parking permit to get a replacement if you trade, sell, or replace the windshield or you will be charged for a new one
• Refunds are prorated and the original permit must be provided to get a refund

Where You Can Get Your Parking Permit

Revenue Services
City Hall - Main Floor
453 West 12th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Y 1V4

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5 pm (closed on holidays)

--- OR ---

West End Community Centre

870 Denman Street
Hours: 9 am - 5 pm Monday - Friday (closed on holidays)

Note: The West End permit desk is closed daily from 1 pm to 2 pm

What to bring with you to get your Permit

The following 3 items are all required to get your permit.

Valid ICBC car insurance for each vehicle registered to the resident's home in the residential permit zone  The mailing address and/or location address on the insurance must list a valid residential address within the residential permit zone.  PO Boxes are not acceptable.

• Leased vehicles registered under the leasing company's address must also show the residential location address on the second page of the insurance.
• If you drive someone else's personal vehicle, you must be listed as the principal operator on the vehicle insurance and the location address on the second page of the insurance/registration must list your residential address within the permit zone. The supporting ID (those items outlined in ‘2' and '3' below) must show the principal operator’s name and address within the permit zone.

PLUS

One item of recently dated non-personal mail delivered to the same name and address as that shown on the vehicle registration (examples: phone, cable, or hydro bill, bank or credit card statement).

OR

Recently dated Canada Post Change of Address form showing the same name and address as that shown on the vehicle registration.

OR

Recenlty dated rental/tenancy agreement showing the same name and address as that shown on the vehicle registration.

AND

One other item showing the same name and address as on above items (B.C. driver's license, other items of non-personal mail such as utility bills, bank or credit card statements, etc.).

Not Accepted Id

Personal mail or personal cheques as a form of ID.

A recent printout of an online electronic bill which is currently dated and includes your name and residential address. (I phoned and was told to print out my latest Hydro bill as everything comes to me electronically now)