Ryan Reynolds thanks Vancouverites for putting up with viaduct closure

Vancouver-born actor Ryan Reynolds took to Twitter yesterday to thank Vancouverites for their patience during the Georgia Viaduct’s two-week closure for the filming of 20th Century Fox’s big budget comic book movie Deadpool.

“Thanks again to the city of Vancouver for allowing us to make #deadpool here at home. Particularly commuters affected by the viaduct closure,” Reynolds tweeted.

Thanks again to the city of Vancouver for allowing us to make #deadpool here at home. Particularly commuters affected by the viaduct closure

— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) April 6, 2015

The locally born and bred actor, now 38, likely understands how frustrating Vancouver’s traffic congestion can be, particularly the impact of closing down a major urban arterial like the Georgia Viaduct. According to the City of Vancouver, about 45,000 vehicles use the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts each weekday.

On Monday, Vancity Buzz’s entertainment team captured photos of the production crew’s first stunt scenes on the viaduct, including one scene involving Reynolds’ Deadpool character being pinned in by a gunman in a flipped over SUV.

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The Georgia Viaduct, a one-way route that feeds traffic out of the downtown core and into the eastern suburbs, is closed from early morning to mid-afternoon on most days during the two-week filming schedule. It will reopen on most days in time for the evening peak hour rush.

The paralleling Dunsmuir Viaduct, which feeds traffic into the downtown, remains open and has been used by the public and paparazzi to gaze at Deadpool filming.

The City of Vancouver approved the Georgia Viaduct’s extended closure, arguing that the production will bring local economic spinoffs to the city. The studio says it will plan $37.5 million in Vancouver and employ 1,100 people throughout the duration of filming.

Traffic closures on the Georgia Viaduct will occur during the following dates and times:

April 5: Closed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
April 6 to 16: Closed to all traffic on weekdays between 5 a.m. to 3 p.m., in time for the evening outbound rush hour traffic travelling out of the peninsula.
- When filming completes at 3 p.m., one lane will reopen to permit traffic to pass a 100-metre screened area. All lanes will open once past this area.
April 11: Closed from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Shutdowns could also occur on: Sunday, April 12; Friday, April 17; and Saturday, April 18. These dates are being held by the production team for contingency purposes.

Filming on the viaduct is scheduled to end on April 18 at the very latest, but the movie is slated to continue to film at other Vancouver locations until May 28.

Deadpool, a spinoff to the long-running X-Men cinematic series, is scheduled for a February 12, 2016 theatrical release.