Gran Fondo brings three-hour delays to Sea to Sky Highway this weekend
A popular annual cycling event is returning to local roadways this weekend, and drivers are warned to expect big delays.
This year’s RBC Gran Fondo cycling race between Vancouver and Whistler takes place on Saturday, September 9, along the Sea to Sky Highway.
More than 5,000 cyclists are expected to ride in a single dedicated lane on Highway 99. Event organizers have announced that there will be “traffic impacts” between Stanley Park and Parking Lot 4 in Whistler throughout the day, with “possible delays of up to three hours.”
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“Please leave extra time for your journeys and expect delays throughout the corridor,” said the RBC GranFondo Whistler Team in a release. “We will be reducing the speed limit to 60 km an hour to help keep our traffic management crew and riders safe, and RCMP will be patrolling the entire course.”
Drivers can expect delays of up to three hours for the closures between 5:30 am and 4:30 pm.
Here are the traffic changes and detours that will be in effect on race day:
In Vancouver
Cyclists on the Lions Gate Bridge during the Gran Fondo Race. (RBC Gran Fondo Whistler)
Closures will begin in Vancouver, with the Stanley Park Causeway and Lions Gate Bridge being closed to northbound traffic from 5:30 to 8:30 am. One southbound lane will remain open.
Drivers are advised to use the Ironworkerâs Memorial Bridge as an alternate route.
In West Vancouver
Westbound Marine Drive between Capilano Road and Taylor Way will be reduced to a single lane between 5:30 and 8:30 am. Southbound access to the Lions Gate Bridge will still be available on Marine Drive eastbound from the West Vancouver side.
Access to Taylor Way at the Marine Drive intersection will be restricted at intermittent periods from 5:30 to 9 am.
Cypress Bowl Road is also included in the race, and drivers are encouraged to avoid the area from 6 to 8:30 am.
Ferry traffic and local Horseshoe Bay traffic will be re-routed to Marine Drive from 5:30 to 9:30 am.
On the Sea to Sky Highway
Gran Fondo
Closures and detours will be in place at Porteau Cove, Furry Creek, and Britannia Beach from 7:15 am until noon.
In Squamish
Flaggers will be directing traffic, and traffic signals in the area will be flashing. Closures and detours are expected to begin around 8 am and should be wrapped up by 12:30 pm.
In Whistler
Gran Fondo
Cyclists will be finishing in Whistler, where there are several road closures in effect at Function Junction, Callaghan Valley Road, Alta Lake Road, and access points to Whistler Village.
With files from Megan Devlin