Graeme Wood
Sun
The city is contemplating pedestrian-only zones on Granville Street in downtown Vancouver this summer. But trolley buses will be back in service on the street by Labour Day, according to the City of Vancouver.
Routes that have been diverted from Granville since April 2006 include the No. 4 Powell, No. 7 Dunbar, No. 10 Granville, and No. 17 Oak.
The biggest task in restoring trolley service will be to install new overhead wires, which will be done throughout the summer months, according to TransLink.
Granville between Smithe and Hastings will be open to buses once the wires are installed.
The street has undergone major renovations while also accommodating Canada Line construction.
During this time mature trees were cut down and replaced with 160 smaller ones, new LED light fixtures were installed, and sidewalk parking stalls were created from Granville Bridge to Smithe.
The city has also put in new street furniture to make the area more pedestrian friendly.
Included in the upgrade are seven special light poles between Georgia and Robson with two seats and glass canopies attached.
The city said it is interested in testing pedestrian zones on Granville for special events this summer because it was so popular during the Olympics.
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