The city of Vancouver announced on March 4th that it will close Granville Street in downtown Vancouver to traffic during the FIFA World Cup. The closure will run from June 11th, when the World Cup begins, until July 20th, after the tournament concludes. Five blocks of Granville Street, from Georgia Street to Davie Street, will be closed to traffic.
During the event, benches, patios, live music and cultural events, and photogenic spots will be available. TransLink buses operating on this section will run along Seymour Street and Howe Street during this period, with temporary bus stops set up. However, vehicle traffic will remain permitted at the intersections of Robson, Smith, Nelson, and Helmken Streets where they intersect with Granville.
The city has announced that although this initiative will only be implemented during the World Cup, it will serve as an important pilot program toward realizing the “Granville Street Project,” which aims to transform Granville Street into a safer and more vibrant place in the future. After the World Cup, the route will revert to bus service.