Robson Street sees completion of new widened sidewalks and crosswalk

A major portion of the Bute-Robson Plaza project in downtown Vancouver has reached completion just in time for summer.

A segment of Robson Street — spanning the length of nearly half a city block around the intersection with Bute Street — now features significantly widened sidewalks on both sides of the street.

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The pedestrian space in this area of Robson Street has effectively doubled in width, providing much-needed room for the high volume of foot traffic.

This was achieved by extending the sidewalks into former curbside parking spaces, permanently reducing this stretch of Robson Street to two vehicle lanes — one travel lane in each direction. It replaced temporary curbside extensions and planters that were put in place during the pandemic.

Construction progress on Bute-Robson Plaza, as of May 24, 2025. (Kenneth Chan)

Construction progress on Bute-Robson Plaza, as of May 24, 2025. (Kenneth Chan)

Construction progress on Bute-Robson Plaza, as of May 24, 2025. (Kenneth Chan)

Construction progress on Bute-Robson Plaza, as of May 24, 2025. (Kenneth Chan)

Additionally, rain gardens to absorb rainwater runoff and a very wide north-south crossing for pedestrians and cyclists have been completed at the intersection. This forms a key segment for the City of Vancouver’s long-term plans to create the new Bute Street Greenway, stretching north-south between the Coal Harbour waterfront and Sunset Beach Park.

But expect some more construction activity to continue through the summer months. The remaining major components of this project on Bute Street — the permanent in-street plaza just north and south of the intersection with Robson Street — will reach completion in Fall 2025.

Construction progress on Bute-Robson Plaza, as of May 24, 2025. (Kenneth Chan)

Construction progress on Bute-Robson Plaza, as of May 24, 2025. (Kenneth Chan)

Construction progress on Bute-Robson Plaza, as of May 24, 2025. (Kenneth Chan)

Construction progress on Bute-Robson Plaza, as of May 24, 2025. (Kenneth Chan)

Construction progress on Bute-Robson Plaza, as of May 24, 2025. (Kenneth Chan)

To the south of this intersection, reaching the Rosemary Brown Laneway (the laneway just before Haro Street), the previous car-free pop-up plaza will be replaced with a new permanent design of high-quality materials, a bike lane, landscaping, lighting, seating, and weather protection structures.

To the north of the intersection to the Eihu Laneway (the laneway just before Alberni Street), an interim design will be established, which will permanently close through-vehicle access onto Robson Street to accommodate a bike lane, a relocated Mobi bike share station, and gathering spaces.

Overall, the project carries a cost of about $10 million. Construction on the project first began in Summer 2024.

Previous condition:

Robson Street looking east from Bute Street, May 2022. (Google Maps)

Interim design of Bute-Robson Plaza as of October 2021. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

Previous condition of the intersection of Robson Street and Bute Street. (Google Maps)

New condition:

2024 revised scope concept: Final design of the Bute-Robson Plaza. (City of Vancouver)

In January 2025, construction crews uncovered historic streetcar tracks beneath Robson Street — remnants of a streetcar route that operated over a century ago. The tracks had been buried and paved over with asphalt following the route’s decommissioning.

However, the prolonged construction activity has drawn the ire of local businesses, who say the disruptions have significantly impacted their bottom line. In March 2025, the franchise owner of PAUL Bakery, Café & Restaurant — located adjacent to the construction site — told Daily Hive Urbanized that it faces the risk of closure, with sales plunging by as much as 60 per cent.

The Vancouver location of the popular French bakery chain opened in early 2021. Since the start of construction, staffing has been reduced from about 50 staff to around 30, with further cuts to business hours — even more severe than those imposed during pandemic-related restrictions.

Businesses have faced some short-term pain, but that could be offset over the long term by the vastly improved public space that enables more pedestrians to pass through, linger, and congregate.

Old streetcar track remnants on Robson Street, uncovered by the new Bute-Robson Plaza construction project, as of January 25, 2025. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)

Old streetcar track remnants on Robson Street, uncovered by the new Bute-Robson Plaza construction project, as of January 25, 2025. (Kenneth Chan/Daily Hive)