Traffic impacts on Squamish from the third annual RBC GranFondo event on Saturday (Sept. 7) will be similar to last year, but drivers will see an increase in the duration of the closures of several local streets.
Valley Drive, Scott Crescent, Mamquam Road, Garibaldi Way, Depot Road and Alice Lake will all be closed off from the highway from 8 to 11 a.m. this year. Last year the streets were closed from 8:45 to 10:45 a.m.
Just like last year, Squamish residents can access Loggers Lane only via Centennial Way from 8 to 11 a.m. GranFondo organizers recommend that motorists who want to get to Brennan Park on Saturday use the Centennial Way underpass from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., which is when the majority of cyclists will have passed through Squamish.
Highway 99 at Cleveland Avenue and Loggers Lane will have flashing traffic signals and motorists will not be able to access Loggers Lane from Downtown Squamish or Industrial Way.
At both Valley Drive and Depot Road, traffic signals will also be flashing and traffic movements both to and from the east side of the highway will be closed from 8 to 11 a.m. There will also be no right turns for northbound traffic and no left turns for southbound traffic from the highway.
In Britannia Beach, single-lane alternating traffic will be in effect for one kilometre and no northbound right turns will be permitted at Copper Drive from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Local traffic in Furry Creek will be re-routed via internal roads to access Highway 99 northbound and southbound from 7:15 to 11:30 a.m.
Throughout the event, only one lane will have northbound traffic and speed limits will be reduced to 60 km/h during the ride.
Those trying to access Quest University are in the same boat as people trying to reach the Fall Fair. It's advised that those headed to Quest enter Garibaldi Highlands before 8 a.m. or wait until after 11 a.m.
For more details on the Saturday's traffic closures, visit www.rbcgranfondowhistler.com/about-event/traffic-impacts.
