New bike lane on Richards Street in downtown begins to take shape (PHOTOS)

Construction progress on the Richards Street bike lane, as of June 16, 2020. (Kenneth Chan / Daily Hive)

The first phase of the new Richards Street bike lane in downtown Vancouver is progressing relatively quickly, just six months into construction and after a brief suspension of the work due to COVID-19.

The northernmost span of the bike lane over a three city block stretch from West Cordova Street to Dunsmuir Street is now largely complete, with the new separated bi-directional bike lane built on the east side of the street.

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This design reconfigures Richards Street — a southbound-only roadway — from two traffic lanes to just one traffic lane. Under the configuration, 85% of the curbside vehicle parking stalls on both sides of the street will be retained.

Before:

Richards Street looking south from West Hastings Street in 2019. (Google Maps)

After:

Construction progress on the Richards Street bike lane, looking south from West Hastings Street, as of June 16, 2020. (Kenneth Chan / Daily Hive)

Other upgrades include protected intersections, new traffic signals, sidewalk improvements, street repaving, one block of sewer upgrades, and the relocation of four existing Mobi bike share stations and the installation of two additional stations.

The City of Vancouver’s plan also call for a net gain of 100 new trees, and stormwater tree trenches that help reduce rainwater runoff.

Before and after comparisons of Richards Street in downtown Vancouver with new protected bi-directional bike lanes. (City of Vancouver)

The 11-block-long bike lane along Richards Street will be completed in two phases, with the first phase between West Cordova Street and Nelson Street scheduled to reach completion later this summer.

The second phase between Nelson Street and Pacific Street will commence construction this summer for a completion in spring 2021, which will replace this section’s 2013-painted bike lanes on the west side of the street.