Vancouver’s Beach Avenue reopening to two-way traffic

Vancouver City Council approved a $6 million plan to revitalize the West End waterfront that will change traffic patterns along Beach Avenue.

After an amendment by City Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung, the plan will see a portion of Beach Avenue reopened to two-way vehicle traffic, as well as a designated curbside lane for parking.

A section of the eastbound lane had been converted into what has become one of the city’s busiest bike paths during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lucy Maloney, an active transportation advocate, says the plan is a step backwards.

“What that’s going to do is induce traffic. Because people will be able to use Stanley Park as a way of avoiding [West Georgia Street], so we are going to see a lot more motor vehicle traffic here, which is going to result in more traffic danger,” said Maloney.

City Councillor Peter Meiszner says traffic congestion in this area was made worse when the street was converted to a one-way.

“The fact is [Beach Avenue] used to be two-way, just before the pandemic, so this is really about creating a street that works for everybody,” said Meiszner.

“It was getting very congested with only one directional — uni-directional traffic. So this is actually, I believe, going to result in less congestion, and more free-flowing movement of cars.”

Local residents have mixed feelings about the plan.

“We don’t need more fumes,” one person told CityNews.

Another said, “It’s a bit of an inconveince for this to only be one way.”

Maloney says she hopes City Council reconsiders the proposed design.

“We would like to see the curbside car-parking eliminated from the plan. That space could be better used for paved pedestrian walkways. It is going to cause more traffic congestion on quiet West End Streets when people are circling looking for parking.”

The City says once funding is approved, it hopes construction will begin in autumn of 2026.