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CITY OF VANCOUVER ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT |
Date: |
January 27, 2004 | |
Author: |
N. Hood | |
Phone No.: |
6472 | |
RTS No.: |
03827 | |
CC File No.: |
5757 | |
Meeting Date: |
February 10,2004 |
TO: |
Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic |
FROM: |
General Manager of Engineering Services in consultation with the Director of Current Planning |
SUBJECT: |
Downtown Transportation Plan - Two-Way Street Conversion in Gastown |
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council approve $280,000 in Community Amenity Contributions generated from 598 Taylor (now 550 Taylor Street) for the modification of existing traffic signals, minor curb modifications and traffic regulations necessary for the conversion of three street segments from one-way to two-way operation.
COUNCIL POLICY
Council approved the Downtown Transportation Plan (DTP) on July 9, 2002 which recommended road network changes, including the conversion of five streets from one-way to two-way operation.
Council approved the DTP Implementation Schedule on June 10, 2003 which recommended that the five one-way streets be converted to two-way within three years.
PURPOSE
This report seeks Council's approval for funding to proceed with the conversion of Abbott, Carrall, and Cambie (north of Dunsmuir) from one-way to two-way operation, as identified in the DTP.
BACKGROUND
The DTP identified five streets for conversion from one-way to two-way operation. In identifying Homer, Cambie, Beatty, Abbott and Carrall Streets as suitable for conversion to two-way operation, particular attention was paid to ensuring that downtown liveability is enhanced by: improving accessibility to new and evolving land uses, meeting existing and future transit needs and creating new opportunities for cycling while maintaining overall road capacity for general traffic. In setting these objectives as integral to the implementation of two-way traffic on the five streets, the City's goal of creating a sustainable transportation system in the downtown core is met through shorter travel routes, resulting in lower vehicle emissions, and the provision of a range of transportation options.
DISCUSSION
The conversion of the five identified streets from one-way to two-way operation is planned to take place in two stages. Appendix A illustrates the five streets approved for conversion and the proposed implementation schedule. Abbott, Carrall and the north end of Cambie Street are scheduled for implementation in April 2004. The implementation will be completed in time to provide improved tour bus circulation in Gastown prior to the tourist season and the June opening of the new Storyeum/WHEX museum.
Changes to the operation of Beatty, Homer and the south end of Cambie Street are planned for later this year. Additional time is needed in planning the implementation of these streets to ensure that transit and cycling needs are properly addressed.
Abbott Street
Abbott Street is six blocks long with the three southerly blocks, between Pacific Boulevard and Pender Street, currently operating as two-way. There are no existing transit or cycling facilities on this street and none are planned at this time. There are no existing parking restrictions on the three blocks being converted to two-way, but traffic conditions will be monitored after two-way traffic has been implemented to ensure that stadium event traffic and afternoon rush hour volumes continue to be accommodated. If a need for additional parking restrictions is identified, the adjacent businesses will be consulted prior to any changes being made.
The removal of a corner bulge at the south west corner of Abbott and Cordova Streets is necessary to allow for the safe turning of both delivery vehicles and tour buses. The removal of the bulge will reduce the risk of rear end and sideswipe collisions on Cordova Street and head-on collisions on Abbott Street, when large vehicles are turning from Cordova Street to southbound Abbott Street.
A further review of intersections on Abbott Street and elsewhere in the neighbourhood is underway. Additional traffic, both tour bus and general vehicle, generated by the Storyeum/WHEX development may require the addition, removal or modification of other corner bulges in the area. This review is ongoing and any changes as a result of the increase in traffic generated by Storyeum/WHEX, will be processed as part of the development.
Carrall Street
Carrall Street is six blocks long with the three southerly blocks, between Pacific Boulevard and Pender Street, currently operating as two-way. Two blocks, from Pender Street to Cordova Street, will be changed to two-way, but the block between Cordova Street and Maple Tree Square will remain one-way southbound. The existing roadway geometry of Maple Tree Square already poses challenges to drivers and pedestrians and the introduction of northbound traffic from Carrall Street into the square is not seen as desirable.
There are two local bus routes and several suburban routes, with drop off service only, on Carrall Street between Maple Tree Square and Pender Street. Existing parking restrictions, on the west side of the street, provide sufficient capacity for efficient transit service during rush hours. No additional parking or turning restrictions are anticipated for Carrall Street in response to the two-way implementation, but Translink has requested that the intersection of Carrall and Pender Streets be monitored after the conversion to ensure that existing transit service levels are maintained.
The DTP also designated Carrall Street as a greenway. Streetscape improvements are currently being designed in consultation with the community, but changes to the roadway are not expected to begin until 2005. This includes the redesign of Maple Tree Square to improve traffic safety and enhance the pedestrian experience in Gastown. The implementation of two-way traffic on Carrall Street is consistent with the future greenway project.
Cambie Street
The four most northerly blocks of Cambie Street will be converted to two-way traffic in April 2004. These blocks are being done in advance of the remainder of Cambie Street in order to improve tour bus circulation in Gastown prior to the opening of the new Storyeum/WHEX Museum. Traffic capacity and safety will not be compromised by a two-stage conversion of Cambie Street.
There are no designated cycling facilities on Cambie Street. There are two local transit routes and several suburban routes, with drop off service only, on this section of Cambie Street. No additional parking or turning restrictions are anticipated for Cambie Street in response to the two-way implementation, but Translink has requested that the intersection of Cambie and Pender Streets be monitored after the conversion to ensure that existing transit service levels are maintained.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The estimated cost of converting the northerly sections of Abbott, Carrall and Cambie Streets to two-way traffic is $280,000: $240,000 to modify nine traffic signals, $15,000 for geometric changes and $25,000 for traffic paint and sign changes. Funding is available from the Community Amenity Contributions generated from 598 Taylor (now 550 Taylor Street).
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
The infrastructure work associated with the two-way conversion project is being coordinated with a decorative street lighting maintenance project in Gastown, renovations to the Gastown parkade and design of the Carrall Street Greenway. The work is scheduled to be completed in April, prior to the beginning of the tourist season and the June opening of the Storyeum/WHEX museum. As well, major events in and around the stadiums will be taken into account and avoided as much as possible when finalizing the date the conversions will take place.
COMMUNICATIONS PLAN
Residents and business owners in the northeast corner of downtown were contacted by mail, in the first week of January, with information related to the two-way conversion of streets in their neighbourhood (Appendix B). Sixteen hundred letters were delivered and three responses have been received to date, two supporting the project and one opposed.
Various stakeholders have been consulted including the Gastown Business Improvement Society, Gastown Heritage Area Planning and Advisory Committee, Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association, Storyeum/WHEX and TransLink. Identified issues are being addressed and staff continue to work with stakeholders in the review of ongoing concerns. In particular, TransLink and City staff will monitor traffic conditions after the conversion to two-way traffic to ensure that current transit service levels are maintained and that capacity levels for general traffic are comparable to existing conditions.
Traffic signs advising drivers and pedestrians of the change in traffic patterns will be posted from one month prior to and until three months after the conversions take place. Finally, a media campaign will be developed for the weeks leading up to the conversions, consisting of a series of press releases and newspaper ads.
CONCLUSION
The DTP seeks to improve access to downtown businesses and residences within the context of a sustainable transportation system. The implementation of two-way traffic on the north ends of Cambie, Abbott and Carrall Streets contributes to the City's liveability and sustainability initiatives by creating more direct/shorter routes for the movement of both goods and people in and around Gastown and adjacent neighbourhoods. Community support for the project from both individuals and organizations is largely a result of the extensive public consultation that went into the development of the DTP and the individual recommendations contained therein.
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