Eastside Connector

The Eastside Connector will improve connectivity and safety for everyone who uses the corridor. Key upgrades include: 

Bike Lane Improvements: The existing separated bike lane on West Grand Boulevard will be upgraded to a clearly marked, bi-directional route. A concrete median will replace existing delineators to improve physical separation from vehicles.

Neighbourhood Bikeway: East 17th Street from West Grand Boulevard to Rufus Drive will become a shared bike route, marked with shared lane markers and signage. Intersection upgrades at East 17th Street and East Grand Boulevard will improve safety for everyone crossing the street.

New Multi-use Path: A new multi-use path will be installed at the north end of Loutet Park to connect the Casano-Loutet Overpass to the intersection of East 17th Street and Rufus Avenue.

Intersection Upgrades: Intersections along West Grand Boulevard (East 9th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th, and 19th Streets) will be upgraded to enhance safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and other mobility device users. 

New traffic signals will be installed at East Grand Boulevard at East 13th and 15th Streets, and additional markings will be added to the existing signal at East 17th Street and East Grand Boulevard to enable people travelling along the Eastside Connector to safely cross East Grand Boulevard. 

Lighting Enhancements: New street lighting will be added along the corridor, improving comfort and visibility for all users at all times throughout the year. 

Wayfinding Signage: Clear signage will help people navigate the corridor and reduce user conflicts by clarifying designated areas for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles. 

Expanded Park Space: West Grand Boulevard between East 13th and 15th Streets will be closed and transformed into park space, while including a separated bike path. This redesign will simplify intersections to improve safety and create a stronger connection between Ray Perrault Park and Grand Boulevard Park.

Temporary programming will be considered to activate the expanded park space in the short term, bringing energy and activity to the area as long-term plans are developed. In 2026, the community will be asked to provide input on the future of this new public space through a formal engagement process, prior to the closing of the road which is expected to occur in 2027.

Construction is expected to begin in April 2026, with completion anticipated in the summer of 2026 to align with the opening of the Casano-Loutet Overpass. 

During construction, the City anticipates temporary minor construction impacts along West Grand Boulevard and East 17th Street, and temporary parking and driving lane restrictions.

City staff will work with contractors to confirm an efficient schedule for construction that minimizes local disruptions. For active construction projects, visit cnv.org/Roadwork. 

Notifications 

If your home or business is directly within a construction area, you will receive advance notice with details on what to expect during work, including the construction schedule. On-site signage will also be installed to indicate construction locations. 

How does this project relate to other initiatives?

The Eastside Connector is the first phase of the Mid-Town Connector, a priority route identified in the City’s Mobility Lane Network Project. It is also part of Translink’s Major Bikeway Network, a network of safe and comfortable cycling facilities connecting urban centres and major destinations across Metro Vancouver.

The Eastside Connector will connect to existing and future active transportation routes, including the Green Necklace. These projects are an integral part of the City’s Mobility Strategy, which envisions creating healthy streets that work for everyone.

Why build the Eastside Connector now?

A new overpass over Highway 1, called the Casano-Leutet Overpass, will open in summer 2026. The Eastside Connector is being developed now to ensure there is a clear connection for pedestrians and cyclists wanting to travel between Grand Boulevard and the Casano-Loutet Overpass.

The project is also coordinated with the District of North Vancouver’s recently completed Kirkstone Bike Project, which provides a comfortable alternative to Lynn Valley Road for people walking and rolling between key destinations like schools, services and employment hubs in the City and across the North Shore. By connecting these different infrastructure projects, the Eastside Connector helps make active transportation a better option for travel.

How will community input be used?

The Eastside Connector project must follow technical standards and best practices to ensure routes are safe, accessible, and comfortable for most users. Residents will be kept informed throughout the process and staff will consider community feedback around wayfinding and ease of use.

In spring 2026, the community will also be invited to provide help create a vision for over 1000m2 of new park space on West Grand Boulevard between 13th and 15th Streets. This could include features like creating new social seating spaces, trees and greenery, habitat features, and active recreation amenities. Closure of the southbound travel lane and parking on West Grand Boulevard between 13th and 15th Streets will only advance after a plan for the space is developed with the community.

How will this project improve safety?

Over the years, the popularity of Grand Boulevard Park and the Green Necklace has led to increasing conflicts between users because of pedestrians using cycle paths. To accommodate growing demand and to minimize conflict, all of the pathways within the Park were dedicated for the use of pedestrians in June 2020. The northbound lane on West Grand Boulevard was also closed at that time to accommodate bi-directional travel of cyclists and mobility device users.

Now, the Eastside Connector project seeks to further improve safety by adding new traffic signals, separating car and bike lanes with concrete medians, adding lighting and more.

Will changes to the West Grand Blvd impact emergency vehicle access?

No. The future closure of West Grand Boulevard between E. 13th Street and E. 15th Street was reviewed by CNV Public Safety and Fire Department teams. It is not anticipated to impact emergency vehicle access, as the southbound vehicle lane will continue to be accessible to first responders as will local roads throughout neighbourhood.

Will this project increase traffic congestion?

No, traffic measurements and analysis indicate that a future closure of West Grand Boulevard will not have a negative impact on traffic. Existing heavy traffic areas on East Grand Boulevard are a result of bottlenecks at the extreme north and south ends of East Grand Boulevard, where cars access East Grand Boulevard to or from other arterial roads. Traffic merging onto Highway 1 is one example of this bottleneck. Data shows that the rest of East Grand Boulevard operates at 20% of its capacity, meaning that a full closure of West Grand Boulevard between 13th and 15th Streets is not likely to impact congestion.

What will happen to the existing electric vehicle charging station?

When West Grand Boulevard is closed to vehicle traffic in the future, the electric vehicle charging stations will be relocated to another accessible location. That location has not yet been determined.

What will happen to the baseball fields in Loutet Park?

The project team is working to retain park uses within the existing constrained space. Following the completion of the Eastside Connector and Casano-Leutet Overpass projects at least one baseball field will remain.