British Columbia

Station upgrade expected to snarl traffic near Broadway in Vancouver

TransLink is warning commuters to expect delays and traffic snarls starting Friday as work begins upgrading Vancouver's Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain Station.

To install steel structure to support new walkway TransLink is closing lanes and moving bus stops

Commuters passing through the Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain station or around it may face delays starting Sept. 15 as TransLink upgrades the station. (CBC)

TransLink is warning commuters to expect delays and traffic snarls starting Friday as work begins upgrading Vancouver's Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain Station.

The work at the busiest station in the TransLink network — which sees 150,000 daily users — includes the construction of a new overhead walkway connecting the two halves of the station.

Two bus stops for the 9 and 99 routes will be relocated temporarily during construction along with some partial lane closures.  There will also be a full road closure of Broadway on Sept. 29 and Oct. 1.

Upgrades to the Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain Station are threatening traffic snarls. (Chris Anaka/CBC)

"We're encouraging vehicle traffic to avoid this area as detours will be in effect," says a TransLink release.

The construction is part of upgrades started in 2015 which include an additional platform for Expo Line trains, a widened crossing over the Grandview Cut and the new Broadway walkway.

There will also be the addition of two new elevators and four up-and-down escalators to improve access.