Stanley Park Causeway bike path construction to start

Construction on the separated bike and pedestrian pathways through Stanley Park is kicking off this week, meaning detours for pedestrians and cyclists.

The new paths will replace the sidewalks alongside the three-lane causeway connecting the park entrance on West Georgia Street with the Lions Gate Bridge.

According to the provincial government's project website:

• On Sunday, Sept. 13, there will be a vehicle, cyclist and pedestrian detour in place through the park from 4 a.m. PT to9a.m. PT
• Beginning Monday, Sept. 14, pedestrian and cyclist detours will be in place via Hanson Trail and Pipeline Drive weekdays between 9a.m. and3p.m.
• Vehicle traffic on the causeway will not be affected during the day.
• There will be single-lane closures overnight on weekdays between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. and on weekends between 10 p.m. and 9 a.m., with one vehicle lane remaining open in each direction.

The $4.4-million project is anticipated to be finished by the end of 2015.

More than 2,200 cyclists and 200 pedestrians use the route each day during the busy summer months, according to the province.

Under the plan, which was first proposed last December by the Vancouver Park Board, the sidewalk on the eastern side will be widened to 3.6 metres to create two lanes for northbound cyclists, and one lane for pedestrians walking in both directions.

The western sidewalk will be widened to 2.1 metres and restricted to southbound cyclists only. At certain places it will be widened to 2.7 metres to create passing lanes for bikes. Pedestrian access will be restricted with signage at the entrance and exits.

Both sides will have a green metal railing installed to separate them from vehicle traffic along the 2.2 kilometre route, except alongside the emergency pull-outs for vehicles.

About 14 trees ranging in age from 30 to 60 years are expected to be removed for the project.

The changes were sparked after a woman was struck and killed after she accidentally rode off the southbound sidewalk and into the path of a bus in 2013.