Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions on getting around in 2010
Q: Where can I get more information on the complete Olympic Transportation Plan and how it affects all of the 2010 Winter Games venue communities?
For complete details on the integrated transportation plan for the 2010 Winter Games, please visit the VANOC website
.
Q: Who is responsible for the 2010 Winter Games transportation plan?
Transportation planning for the 2010 Winter Games is being led by the Olympic and Paralympic Transportation Team (OPTT). Its members are: The City of Vancouver, VANOC, Resort Municipality of Whistler, TransLink, BC Transit, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit.
Q. What roads and bridges will be closed, and how will this affect driving & access to my business or residence?
Some roads immediately surrounding Games venues will be temporarily closed to vehicles for periods between the middle of January through to March 2010 to ensure the safety of athletes, officials, spectators, and the general public. However, businesses in Vancouver will be able to remain open during the Games period, and residents will be able to access their homes, including those in close proximity to Games venues. Everyone should be aware that it will take longer than normal to move around the city, but there are no restrictions for driving during the Olympic or Paralympic Winter Games, including into the downtown. Plan ahead, allow some extra time, consider sustainable modes of transportation such as walking, cycling and taking transit. For more details on areas surrounding Games venues visit vancouver2010.com/gameplan. For more information on temporary changes to roads throughout the city visit the Getting Around section of the Host City website at vancouver.ca.
Q. How will Olympic Lanes operate?
Olympic Lanes during the 2010 Winter Games will operate in one lane of traffic (similar to an HOV lane). In many other Olympic Host Cities, Olympic Lanes have been dedicated to Olympic vehicles only, to ensure reliable travel times for athletes, technical officials and the news media. In Vancouver, we believe public transit must also have priority, to help local residents, spectators, and the Games workforce to move efficiently and effectively. With this in mind, Olympic Lanes in the City of Vancouver will be dedicated to Olympic vehicles and public transit buses 24 hours a day between February 4 to March 1, 2010. The Vancouver Police Department will enforce the types of vehicles that are permitted in Olympic Lanes, and regular traffic violation fines will apply.
Q. Why are Olympic Lanes required for the whole month of February and for 24 hours a day?
Games operations and other Olympic traffic will begin throughout the city as early as January 2010 and the majority of transit, spectator, workforce, athletes and official movements will begin on February 1, 2010.
In order for athletes and officials to be able to reliably travel to Games events, to ensure emergency vehicle access and to facilitate snow removal in the event of a major snowstorm, Olympic Lanes are required for the full 24-hour period.
Q: Why are parking restrictions required for the whole month of February and for 24 hours a day?
Given the amount of Games traffic expected on the city streets beginning at the end of January, temporary parking restrictions are required between February 4 to March 1, 2010 24 hours a day in order to maximize traffic flow to ensure successful Games events. This temporary period has been kept as short as possible to minimize the impact on local residents and businesses. Where possible additional side street parking for business customers will be provided. The City has also developed residential parking plans that will preserve residential parking in neighbourhoods around the Games venues. For more information, visit our page on parking restrictions.
Q: How does the transportation plan affect goods movement and construction in Vancouver during Games time?
Deliveries
While local businesses will be able to make and receive deliveries in downtown Vancouver 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, we strongly encourage flexibility in timing your deliveries. In order to avoid congestion and traffic, the City recommends that all deliveries be planned between 12 midnight and 6 am. If you are unable to make or receive deliveries before 6 am, the next preferred delivery window is before noon.
Commercial garbage removal
Hours for commercial garbage removal during the Games period have been amended to maintain regular service levels as much as possible.
- Garbarge removal in the downtown core:
Monday to Friday 5 am to 12 midnight
Weekends 8 am to 12 midnight
- Garbarge removal outside the downtown core:
Monday to Friday 6 am to 8 pm
Residential garbage collection by the City of Vancouver will continue as normal during the Games.
Street use
Private street use activities, including construction, film production and ultility work will still be able to take place during the Games period. However, street use limitations may occur between January 1 and March 31, 2010 in downtown Vancouver, areas around Games venues and key arterial streets within the city.
If you require the use of Vancouver streets between January 1 and March 31, 2010, apply for a permit as soon as possible. Learn more about street use limitations at Games time and how to apply for a permit.
Q. Is this plan for the Olympic Games only? What is the plan for the Paralympic Games?
These plans apply to both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games will begin on March 12, and end on March 21, 2010. Activity levels on City streets during this period will be closer to regular conditions. No Olympic lanes or pedestrian corridors are required for the Paralympic Games. There will be limited road closures, and limited 24 hour parking and stopping restrictions. Check the 2010 Venue Area Road Closure Dates table for more information on road closures during the Paralympic Winter Games.
Q. Why is the Cambie Bridge closed from noon to midnight on Feb 10, 12 and 28?
For the overall transportation plan, which covers the entire Games period (January 4 to March 21), no changes are planned to any bridges. Within that period, the Opening and Closing Ceremonies are special events with particular transportation requirements. The Cambie bridge will be closed to facilitate the transportation of athletes and officials to BC Place stadium and will be closed for the minimum time required to do so safely and efficiently. It will remain open for pedestrians and cyclists.
Q. How will businesses located on these additional closed streets be impacted? Can their customers/clients/employees reach them?
Pedestrian access will be maintained for all businesses and residents located on the affected streets. We have been in touch with all the businesses in these areas so they are aware of the changes.
Q. How will you manage traffic, given that the additional road closures will be in effect during the afternoon rush hour, when people are trying to leave work?
By providing this information to residents and businesses a month in advance, we are encouraging everyone to plan ahead. If traveling to downtown on these specific dates, we encourage sustainable modes of transportation such as walking, cycling or transit. If driving is an absolute must, please rideshare/carpool and plan to leave downtown by noon, or wait and leave after the ceremonies are underway at 5:30 pm. If we all work together to make these temporary changes, we can make the transportation plan a success.
Q. How long will roads be closed to accommodate the torch relay in the city?
Rolling road closures of roughly 10 to 20 minutes (with larger volumes of spectators on city streets and sidewalks) will be in place as the torch travels through each community along the route.
Q. Where can I receive up to date transportation information for the Games period?
More information on the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Transportation Plan will continue to be made available at vancouver2010.com/gameplan, as well as in the Getting Around section of the Host City website at Vancouver.ca.
