ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
July 9, 1996
File No. 160 595
TO: Vancouver Traffic Commission
FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT: Pedestrian Connection Under Beatty Street To SkyTrain Stadium
Station
RECOMMENDATION
That BC Transit be urged to develop a plan in consultation with
local residents, businesses, transit users and City staff, to
reopen the underground connection to SkyTrain Stadium Station under
Beatty Street in the context of increased security provided by
greater pedestrian volumes and potential new developments.
COUNCIL POLICY
Council s top priority for transportation is walking.
Council supports measures to increase transit use as a means of reducing
the impacts of general vehicular traffic growth and improving regional
air quality, as per the Clouds of Change initiatives.
PURPOSE
This report discusses BC Transit s plan to fill the west entrance
stairwell to the pedestrian connection under Beatty Street. The
connection is presently closed (see Figure 1).
BACKGROUND
A pedestrian connection under Beatty Street at Dunsmuir Street was
constructed as part of the ALRT/SkyTrain project, in order to provide a
convenient walkway between the SkyTrain Stadium Station and future new
developments in the area. However, complementary developments with
underground activities/walkways adjacent the station have not occurred
to date. The anticipated underground connection to the HA Simons
building on the northwest corner of Dunsmuir Street and Beatty Street
was not installed by the developer when the building was constructed.
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The pedestrian connection to SkyTrain under Beatty Street was kept open
until about 1992, and then closed because of security concerns. The
isolated location and corner blind spots in the connection were
considered to be a problem because of low pedestrian volumes, even after
additional security measures including cameras and enhanced lighting
were added. The closure did not impair station access as there is a
convenient surface route across Beatty Street using the signal at
Dunsmuir Street. The surface route is direct and has a slightly shorter
walking distance than the underground connection, but lacks the
protection from weather and traffic that the connection offers.
Wheelchair access was not affected by the closure as the connection has
no ramps.
The west end of the underground connection, at the northwest corner of
Dunsmuir Street and Beatty Street, was originally closed by installing
a vertical grille at the subgrade entrance to the connection corridor;
however, the stairwell leading down to entrance was left open.
The Vancouver Traffic Commission on March 30, 1995 recommended: that BC
Transit be encouraged to make the tunnel leading from the corner of
Dunsmuir Street and Beatty street to the SkyTrain Station available to
transit users at least during the daytime period . More recently, on
May 28, 1996, the Mayor directed staff to investigate and provide
information regarding BC Transit s plan to fill in the entrance.
PROPOSED STAIRWELL COVER
BC Transit have advised they intend to cover the west entrance stairwell
to the underground connection, as it is being used as a sleeping
quarters, dumping ground, and site for illegal activities. The
stairwell cavity would be filled with sand to the level of the sidewalk,
and the surface would be finished with paving stones in order to
maintain the look of the surrounding plaza. Once the work is completed,
the former entrance would be imperceptible to pedestrians. The
underground connection itself would not be altered in any way and could
be opened in future with minimum effort. Access to the station would
not be affected as the connection is already closed.
DISCUSSION
If the underground connection is reopened, it would provide better
access to transit, which is a high priority for Council. A sheltered
walkway would be available for SkyTrain customers. Pedestrian delay
and conflicts crossing Beatty Street would be reduced.
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On the other hand, there are concerns regarding security and wheelchair
access. BC Transit indicate there are no plans to open the connection
at present because of the security issue. A part-time opening is not
favoured as the pedestrian volumes would not be sufficient to provide
security.
In view of the above, it is recommended that BC Transit be urged to
develop a plan to reopen the connection in the context of increased
pedestrian activity, possibly through new developments in the area.
Security could be enhanced through greater pedestrian activity, as well
as through specific security measures. The connection should be made
accessible to wheelchair users as a part of future developments. Local
residents, businesses, and transit users should also be consulted as
part of the plan development process.
With the plan in place, the City could work with BC Transit and with
future developers on reopening the connection. This is important as the
facility represents a significant capital investment which will become
more useful in future as more residents move into the area, new
buildings are developed, and traffic and transit volumes increase.
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