GranFondo race to slow Sea to Sky traffic this weekend
Posted September 9, 2022 1:19 pm.
A big cycling race is making a comeback this weekend and is sure to create some traffic headaches for motorists on the Sea to Sky Highway.
The RBC GranFondo Whistler returns Saturday, with disruptions and lane closures expected from Vancouver, the North Shore, through to Squamish and Whistler.
“We’re back bigger than ever. This will probably be close to 7,000 riders this year, so of course the weather’s been perfect for us. It’s just a wonderful thing for all the riders, a lot of enthusiasm,” explained organizer Neil McKinnon, who notes this is the first time the GranFondo has been held since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He tells OMNI News a lot of work goes into putting the race on.
“It’s about 700 volunteers, about 50 police, about 150 traffic control people, and it’s 10,000 pylons from Vancouver to Whistler to separate, safely, the cyclists from cars,” McKinnon added.
While the race is on, speed limits along sections of Highway 99 between Horseshoe Bay and Whistler will be reduced to 60 kilometres an hour, between 5:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Vancouver, North Shore traffic impacts:
Vancouver closures:
In Vancouver, the Stanley Park Causeway and Lions Gate Bridge will be closed northbound between 5:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., though one southbound lane will remain open. Drivers are asked to take the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge as an alternate route.
Access to Stanley Park Drive from Georgia Street will also be blocked from 3 a.m. until 8 a.m.
North Shore closures:
In West Vancouver, access to Taylor Way will be restricted from Marine Drive intermittently from 5:30 a.m. until 10 a.m.
On Highway 1, the eastbound lanes will be closed between Taylor Way and Horseshoe Bay from 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Meanwhile, cyclists will make their way along Cypress Bowl Road from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. shutting the route down. Drivers are urged to avoid Cypress Bowl Road during these hours.
Horseshoe Bay impacts:
Near Horseshoe Bay, westbound traffic on Highway 1 and northbound traffic on Highway 99 will be rerouted from Exit 2 onto Old Highway 99, also known as Horseshoe Bay Drive. The detour, which will be in effect from 5:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., will see traffic enter Highway 99 northbound at the Pasco Road Highway 99 access.
The same applies for southbound traffic along Highway 99.
BC Ferries customers using the Horseshoe Bay terminal will be rerouted to Marine Drive through West Vancouver from 5:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m.
Find the full list of closures here.
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-With files from Allan Chek
