Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Vancouver City Council

FROM:

General Manager of Engineering Services in consultation with the Director of Current Planning

SUBJECT:

False Creek Pedestrian and Cyclist Crossings

 

RECOMMENDATION

POLICY

Council has supported provision of cycling and pedestrian facilities that encourage the use of non-powered travel for commuting and recreational purposes.

Council has approved proceeding with the Downtown Transportation Plan. Since the Transportation Plan does not deal specifically with bridge access to downtown; this proposal is recommended as a means of addressing the issue of connections with the south shore of False Creek.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to address the Council motion of February 2, 1999, which states:

BACKGROUND

Land Use

False Creek shoreline land use has been changing over the past twenty years from industrial use to residential and commercial use. In total, there are approximately 3,000 existing residential units in Southwest False Creek. In the near future there is a proposal to develop approximately 3000 residential units as well as commercial uses in Southeast False Creek. Also, in the future, the Molson lands could potentially be developed for residential and other purposes, along with up to 1000 residential units in Burrard Slopes north of 4th Avenue. West of the Burrard Bridge, Kits Point has several cultural/recreational and institutional uses including, among others, the Pacific Space Centre, the St. Roch and the Maritime Museum. In addition to the substantial commercial, institutional, entertainment and industrial uses on Granville Island, there are Vanier and Charleson Parks.

On the north shore, the residential area of South Granville Slopes has been developed with approximately 1,500 units. The Concord Pacific lands are now approximately 30% developed, with a final target of approximately 9,100 residential units and commercial uses. In addition, Yaletown has approximately 500 residential units and a significant number of commercial uses, and Downtown South has approximately 5600 residential units. Other existing cultural/recreational uses include Science World and Plaza of Nations.

Transportation

The seawall provides a continuous linkage for pedestrians and cyclists that will eventually extend from Burrard Inlet to UBC and the Fraser River. The Downtown Historic Railway has been in use on an introductory basis on the south shore of False Creek, and the further phase extending the line to Ontario and 1st Avenue (1.3km extension) was opened in the summer of 1999. In the longer term, the Railway may be extended to the Waterfront Station via Chinatown and Gastown, to the Roundhouse, and to Stanley Park.

Transit service to the lands abutting False Creek is available from routes that operate near the perimeter. The service does not cater easily to trips across False Creek.

The False Creek ferries provide regular service to a series of stops on both the north and south shore of False Creek. This is a stand alone service and does not integrate with other transportation services at present.

Pedestrians and cyclists are able to cross False Creek by use of higher level bridges. Facilities are designated on the Burrard Bridge for one-way cyclists, and the Granville Bridge has sidewalks and wider curb lanes for bicycles. The Cambie Bridge has a wider sidewalk on the east side, route signing and special pedestrian/cyclist ramp/stair connection.. While existing facilities are functional, alternatives that have been proposed, including low-level crossings, could improve the convenience to cyclists and pedestrians.

Pedestrian/Cycling Crossing Proposals

The City, in the last Capital Plan, considered options for improving cycling and pedestrian opportunities on the Burrard Street Bridge. Although an acceptable option was not decided upon at that time, many important cycling and pedestrian issues were identified. One important issue is the need for Downtown cycle routes that would connect to bridge facilities. Downtown cycle routes will be an important element in the Downtown Transportation Plan.

The Snauqway Proposal, recently initiated by local architects, suggests a review of a low level crossing for pedestrians and cyclists below the Burrard Bridge. This proposal has been presented to many groups having an interest in False Creek.

Another proposal for an enhanced pedestrian cyclist connection across False Creek was made as a submission to the City Plan process. This proposal featured a supplementary bridge suspended below the Granville Bridge to serve pedestrians and cyclists by connecting both shores at Granville Island.

There have been other suggestions for crossing False Creek, including a moving sidewalk and an aerial gondola system, as well as elevator access to Granville Bridge, etc. Conceivably, a new crossing could accommodate the streetcar as well. As noted, currently False Creek crossings are provided by a private ferry systems, and any new system should be integrated with these.

DISCUSSION

It is proposed that a consultant be retained to review the feasibility, effectiveness and impacts of the proposals for new pedestrian and cyclist crossings and to recommend a preferred system for crossing. A draft terms of reference (Appendix A) has been developed to be used for retention of a consultant team and to guide the work and deliverables, such as feasibility studies, costs and an assessment of the level of community support.

The study, expected to take about six months to complete, would be coordinated with other City initiatives such as the Downtown Transportation Plan and the Granville Island Reference Document, etc.

A Task Force would review the potential options and the conclusions would be reported to Council. The costs associated with the Task Force will be nominal and can be covered by existing budgets within Planning and Engineering.

This Task Force should include:

· Representatives of transportation modes and services, i.e., transit, cycling, walking, ferry, etc.

· Regulatory agencies, i.e., ambulance, Coast Guard, Harbour Master, etc.

· Neighbourhood representatives, South False Creek, Granville Slopes, Kitsilano, West End and emerging neighbourhoods

· Business groups, Granville Island businesses, off-Granville Island businesses, etc.

· City staff groups: Engineering, Planning, Police, Fire Department, etc.

· City advisory groups, e.g. Waterfront Opportunities Advisory Group

This Task Force would receive the work of the consultant, and its conclusions would be reported to Council. A Council workshop could be held at the draft report stage, followed by a final report.

CONCLUSIONS

The development of a Task Force representing the most affected and concerned groups would provide for a productive exchange of information and review of the feasibility of the options. Appendix A includes a draft Terms of Reference that would form a proposal call for consulting services for review of options. The estimated cost for these services is $75,000, and funds are available from those set aside for the Burrard Bridge Bikeway Project.

- - - - -

APPENDIX A

Terms of Reference

The consultants would be expected to complete the following tasks to the satisfaction of the General Manager of Engineering Services and the Director of Current Planning.

1. Review of supporting background material such as the City Transportation Plan, City Plan, supporting planning policies and other supporting material.

2. Review material from the 1995 Burrard Bridge Study, the Snauqway Burrard Bridge Proposal and the City Plan submission on a pedestrian/cyclist crossing below the Granville Bridge, connecting Granville Island to both shores of False Creek and other proposals.

3. Evaluate the existing bridge crossings, ferry systems in terms of people carrying capacity, potential for growth, safety and comfort.

4. Evaluate the latent and future demand for improved pedestrian/cyclist crossings and the potential impact to modify mode choice.

5. Evaluate connections to existing and proposed pedestrian/cyclist crossings and the potential impact to modify mode choice.

6. Identify options for providing a pedestrian-scale crossing of False Creek.

7. Assess the feasibility of several options from structural, design compatibility, maintenance and operation perspectives.

8. Assess the relationship with other parts of the transportation system, including the False Creek ferry systems, Streetcar proposal, and proposed Burrard Bridge enhancement.

9. Assess the economic impact on existing ferry systems.

10. Provide an assessment of community fit, including elements such as impacts on:

11. Evaluate options with respect to the overall integrity, spatial quality and experience of the False Creek water body and quality of view, both to and from the water.

12. Provide preliminary costs for each option with sufficient detail to determine the cost of various sub-components.

13. Assess the ability to construct each option and the impact of construction on the community.

14. Assess the need for mitigation of impacts.

15. Assess the anticipated time and resources needed to conduct an environmental review process.

16. Perform a summation of evaluation by comparing options against a set of criteria developed to consider transportation, neighbourhood environmental and other potential impacts.

17. Illustrate with scaled drawings sufficient to describe the options.

18. Prepare presentation materials, including boards, slides and other suitable mediums.

19. Meet regularly with City staff, attend up to 8 Task Force meetings and up to 3 events to provide information to the public.

20. Make presentations to City staff and the Transportation and Traffic Committee and Council at an interim stage and at the conclusion.

* * * * *

ag000725.htm

Comments or questions? You can send us email.
[City Homepage] [Get In Touch]

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver