The world may be coming for 2010, but it won't be stopping in Squamish. VANOC provided details of a transportation plan for 2010, indicating that drivers will be "discouraged" from driving up Highway 99, and buses transporting hordes of visitors will not stop in town.
This detail was just one of the highlights Olympic organizers revealed Wednesday (March 11) as Phase 1 of the $157 million 2010 transportation plan was unveiled.
"Our expanded transit service is aimed at people wanting to travel from Vancouver," said Terry Wright, VANOC executive vice president, services and games operations. "Our transportation plan is at the 80 per cent mark and we will continue to evolve the plan as we get more feedback."
Departure hubs for the 2010 Olympic express route will be located in Vancouver and ticketholders will be encouraged to park in the city - the 350 buses won't make stops in Squamish.
That means Olympic spectators will not have the option of stopping in Squamish to check out attractions and festivals such as Wild at Art. And the bus network is only available for ticketholders who will be contacted by VANOC when the $25 bus tickets become available.
Other details include the elimination of day parking in the resort town, and organizers have decided to set up a checkpoint at Alice Lake to stop people on their way to hanging out in Whistler. Wright said traffic flow between Vancouver and Squamish will function as normal.
"Traffic function between Squamish and Vancouver will be normal so regular travellers to Squamish will not be affected," Wright said.
However, access to Highway 99 between Squamish and Whistler will change. The road will remain open for residents, guests and workers that require a vehicle. Details of specific highway checkpoints are in development and will be available in summer 2009.
A public open house on the transportation plan will be held March 16 at the Westin in Whistler from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. All Sea to Sky residents are encouraged to attend.
Although details are forthcoming, it is expected that highway checkpoint operations will be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The checkpoints will be in place by Feb. 12, 2010.
At highway checkpoints, enforcement officers will be verifying that drivers and passengers have a place to stay in Whistler. Bill Barratt, Chief Administrative Officer for the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) said locals might need to show their driver's license and address. Visitors will need to show hotel confirmations.
Commuters from Squamish will be encouraged to use a beefed-up transit system. The Games-time bus service also features 24-hour-a-day routes to Pemberton and Squamish for workers unable use their vehicles.
There will be 135 buses in operation, increased from the 39 currently used in Whistler.
For February 2010 a monthly souvenir pass will be available for less than a regular pass would cost but Barratt said details are forthcoming.
The newly constructed Sea to Sky Highway will also change. There will be two lanes northbound in the morning from Horseshoe Bay to Function Junction. Once in town, a designated Olympic lane, to be constructed this summer, will carry accredited traffic into town. After the Games, the route will turn into a bike lane.
In the afternoon there will be two lanes southbound to Squamish.
Ninety per cent of Whistler Blackcomb terrain will be open for skiers in 2010, but getting to the resort will require planning. Barratt said organizers are talking with private carriers such as Greyhound to ensure other bus services are available for those wanting to ski in Whistler or travel to Vancouver for shopping.
"We are encouraging day skiers to use private carriers to go skiing," Barratt said. "At the end of the day, we need to make sure these Games are successful and that people take advantage of all the transportation options."
If Highway 99 is closed due to a rockslide or accident, the B.C. Ferry terminals at Porteau Cove and Darrell Bay will be re-activated to transport essential services only. Olympic spectators would not be able to get to Whistler.
Vancouver 2010 is also launching a "know before you go" campaign so that people can find out the easiest way to get to an Olympic venue. Organizers are urging people to reduce the amount of "background" traffic by getting out of their cars, taking transit, walking, biking, car-pooling, working flexible hours or working from home or weather events.
Two more updates on the plan are expected later this summer and in the fall.
