Granville Bridge Connector and Drake Street Improvements
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Granville Bridge Connector and Drake Street Improvements Council Presentation | September 16, 2020 Burrard Bridge Cambie Granville Bridge Bridge Improving the False Creek Bridges Identified as a Council priority after significant public engagement: False Creek Pedestrian & Cycling Crossing Study (2001) Transportation 2040 Plan (2012) Granville Bridge improvements included in the 2019-2022 Capital Plan Burrard Bridge Cambie Granville Bridge Bridge Climate Emergency Response Advances Transportation 2040 mode share target by ten years: Two-thirds of trips in the city by active transportation & transit by 2040 2030 Granville Bridge Connector is key to achieving this target. Many people live and work DRAKE STREET near Granville Bridge UPGRADES Within a 5-minute walk: about 18,000 residents & 17,000 jobs Within a 5-minute bike ride: about 90,000 residents & 125,000 jobs Many people live and work DRAKE STREET near Granville Bridge UPGRADES Approximately 12,000 vehicle trips across the bridge each day are less than 5km long Fewer people walking & biking on Granville DRAKE Bridge reflect significant comfort & STREET accessibility challenges UPGRADES Daily Walking Volumes Daily Cycling Volumes (July, mid-week) (July, mid-week) 5,000 8,000 4,000 6,000 3,000 4,000 2,000 2,000 1,000 0 0 Burrard Cambie Granville Burrard Cambie Granville Bridge Bridge Bridge Bridge Bridge Bridge Fewer than 50% walk across Granville Fewer than 5% cycle across Granville Bridge, compared to Cambie Bridge Bridge, compared to Burrard Bridge Source: 2018 City of Vancouver automated counter data Source: 2018 City of Vancouver pedestrian volume study and manual bicycle counts DRAKE STREET Downtown Network UPGRADES Transportation 2040 5-year Cycling Map 2019-2022 Capital Plan Granville Bridge Today A Bridge Designed for Freeways that were Never Built A Bridge Designed for Freeways that were Never Built 1971 Downtown Freeway Plan Granville Bridge Existing Cross Section 3.7m 3.2m 3.0m 3.2m 0.7m 3.2m 3.0m 3.2m 3.7m Motor Vehicle Volumes over False Creek Bridges (per lane during busiest times) 2000 1750 The eight-lane 1500 Excess Granville 1250 Capacity Bridge has Mid-span 1000 significant 750 extra capacity. 500 250 0 Motor Vehicles perMotor Vehicles Hour Lane per Burrard Granville Cambie 2018 Average AM Peak Hour Northbound 2018 Average PM Peak Hour Southbound Theoretical Capacity per Lane Burrard Bridge = 2 lanes in each direction. Granville Bridge = 4 lanes in each direction. Cambie Bridge = 3 lanes northbound, 2 lanes southbound. Challenge 1: Uncomfortable ramp crossings Challenge 2: Steps at crossings make bridge inaccessible for many Challenge 3: Narrow sidewalk puts people next to high speed traffic Challenge 4: Confusing connections at bridge ends Challenge 5: No bike lanes require people to mix with high-speed traffic Council Q1 2019 What We Heard from Council Q1 2019 . Conduct deep engagement • Confirm draft goals • Engage on multiple options . Consider multiple factors including • Experience | Views to water • Cost | Value for money . Be proactive on means prevention discussions DRAKE STREET DRAKE STREET Engagement Timeline UPGRADES UPGRADES Granville Bridge Connector Engagement Summary Engagement Summary 22 Public Events Nine open houses 10 deep-dive workshops Pop -up workshop and Jane’s Walk … plus an on-site intercept survey 80+ direct stakeholder meetings High Participation Rate 3,000+ participants at public events 9,300+ survey responses 600+ intercept surveys Project Goals Granville Bridge Connector 1. Support the City’s climate emergency efforts by enabling more trips by sustainable transportation 2. Make walking, rolling & cycling across the bridge accessible, safe & comfortable for all ages and abilities 3. Provide direct & intuitive walking, rolling & cycling connections to key destinations & the sustainable transportation network 4. Create a special place that provides an enjoyable experience for all 5. Enable reliable transit and continued access for emergency vehicles 6. Accommodate motor vehicles, considering the bridge’s role in the regional road network 7. Integrate means prevention into the design to deter self-harm 8. Incorporate environmental features into the design, including provisions for rainwater management and wildlife habitat 9. Design for the future, considering compatibility with related projects and flexibility to adapt as the city grows 10. Provide value for money and maximize coordination opportunities Six Shortlisted Options ‘West Side +’ Preferred 1. West Side 2. West Side + 3. East Side 4. East Side + 5. Raised Centre 6. Both Sides Preliminary staff assessment of shortlisted options supported public & stakeholder sentiment Walking & Place- Cycling Rolling making Transit Secure & Reliability Adapt- Inclusive Traffic Cost Option & Future ability Space Priority Place Views Comfort Comfort Network Network West A B A B A A A A A A $20-30M West + A+ A A- A A+ B A A B A $30-40M East A B A B B+ A B A A A $20-30M East + A+ A A- A A+ B B A B A $25-35M Raised B C B B C C B B A C $45-55M Centre Both A+ A A B A+ D C A B B $20-30M Sides Strong Support for Recommended Design About 75% of survey respondents Like like or really like the proposed design 33% Universal support from diverse stakeholder groups Letters of support received from : Really Like Neutral 40% 9% . Children, Youth and Families Advisory Committee Don’t Like . Downtown Vancouver BIA 5% Really . HUB Cycling Don’t Like 12% . Transportation Advisory Committee . VCH Chief Medical Officer “Overall, what do you think of the proposed design?” Based on 1682 survey responses Key Takeaways ‘West Side +’ emerged as consensus preferred option: Preference for side alignments, vs. centre with traffic on o both sides Preference for views to the west o Discomfort with leaving any sidewalks unimproved o Strong support for additional bike network connections o Broad support from public and stakeholders, particularly for: Maintaining views o Creating safe & comfortable paths with good separation o between people walking, cycling, and driving Places to rest along the way o Improving lighting for safety and placemaking o Excitement with opportunity to create a special experience, but others concerned about overall costs. Granville Bridge Connector Recommended Long-term Design . West Side: wide sidewalk, public space, N and two-way bike lane . East Side: Improved sidewalk (including Hemlock ramp) . Fir ramp cycling connection: Level two- way bike connection with 10th Ave . Safe, accessible crossings at Howe, Fir, Hemlock, & Seymour ramps . Connected at both ends: at south end via improved 5th Ave; at North end via proposed T Drake upgrades Long-term Design Mid-span Looking North A path that is safe, equitable, and delightful to move through for people of all ages and abilities Long-term Design Mid-span Looking North East Side Path . Wide, accessible sidewalk West Side Main Path . Protective barrier between sidewalk & traffic . Wide, accessible sidewalk with places to rest along the way . Wide two-way bike path with Means prevention fencing room for passing that preserves views . Protective barrier between bike path & traffic Special moments at key locations . Bike path narrows to create more room for special place . Potential for special seating, lighting, weather protection, art, or other features DRAKE Existing STREET UPGRADES Proposed Long-term Design Looking northwest, near Fir off-ramp Safe & accessible ramp crossings . New traffic signals . New accessible pedestrian ramp for wheelchair access . Signals coordinated with nearby lights to minimize traffic delay Fir Off-Ramp Granville Long-term Design Looking north near Howe & Seymour ramps Safe & accessible ramp crossings . New traffic signals . New accessible pedestrian ramp for wheelchair access . Signals coordinated with nearby lights to minimize traffic delay Howe On-Ramp Granville Seymour Off-Ramp Long-term Design Urban Design Work Ahead Seating Lighting Improvements Pedestrian-Scale Means Lighting Prevention Fencing Opportunities for Greening or Sound Possible Attenuation Lookout? Public Art Materials & Cultural and Heritage Colours Long-term Design Means Prevention Fencing 1. Effectiveness 4. Comfort Design Considerations 2. Transparency 5. Cost include: 3. Aesthetics 6. Maintenance DRAKE Future Work STREET Improving Nearby Connections UPGRADES T Drake Street Engagement Summary DRAKE Engagement STREET Comox-Helmcken Greenway & Drake UPGRADES 2011-12 Engagement Open houses & walking tours Seniors & youth Likeworkshops 33% Downtown/Yaletown for each Seaside connection a key Like benefit of Drake alignment33% for Really Like Neutral cycling40% 9% 2012 Council Direction ReportReally back Like on Section 2 of the Comox-NeutralHelmcken Greenway, including40% Drake Street east of Hornby 9% Transportation 2040 also identified full length of Drake and connection to Granville Bridge DRAKE Engagement (2019-2020) STREET Summary UPGRADES 4 Public Events Two open houses pOne- dro in session pOne po -up session 25+ direct stakeholder meetings Participation Rate 500+ participants at public events 1,800+ survey responses DRAKE Engagement STREET The Two Design Options UPGRADES Preferred Option: One-way vehicle traffic, Option 2: Two-way vehicle traffic, two-way bike lane on south side one-way bike lane on both sides Sidewalk Travel Parking/ Two-way Sidewalk Sidewalk Cycling Travel Lanes Cycling Sidewalk lane Turn Lane cycling lane Lane Pros and Cons of the Preferred Option Fewer conflict zones with space for right-turn lanes