The City and neighbouring North Shore municipalities are working with TransLink to plan and design the Marine Drive RapidBus route (formerly the Marine-Main B-Line). The RapidBus is a high capacity express bus service that will run from West Vancouver to Phibbs Exchange.
The RapidBus will provide efficient and dependable bus service from 6am – 1am, 7 days a week. At peak times, it will run every 8 minutes. During non-peak times buses will run every 10-15 minutes. There will be six stops in the City: Hamilton, Bewicke, Lonsdale Quay, Lonsdale at 3rd, Ridgeway and Brooksbank.
Construction Updates
Construction of the Marine Drive RapidBus route started June 10. Expect delays and detours in construction areas.
3rd street between Lonsdale & Queensbury
Work includes:
- Creation of a dedicated eastbound bus, bicycle lane, and right turn lane
- Bus stop improvements at Ridgeway
- Paving
To make way for the bus, bicycle lane, and right turn lane, limited tree removal of approximately four trees is required in order to widen the road. This work began on Aug 8, and will take approximately three months. Please note, at times lane closures will be necessary.
Marine Drive between Mackay & Bewicke
Work includes:
- Creation of a westbound lane for buses, cyclists and vehicles turning right by reducing existing median
- New bus shelters
- Paving
To make way for the westbound lane by reducing the existing median, the trees in the median between Hamilton and Hanes will be removed. New trees and shrubs will be planted in the median.
This work began July 2, and will take approximately three months to complete. At times, lane closures will be necessary, requiring eastbound and westbound cyclists and vehicles to share the travel lane.
Cotton Road | Gladstone to Brooksbank
Work includes:
- Adjustments to the south curb to accommodate an eastbound bus lane
- Creation of an eastbound off-street bike path
- Bus stop improvements at Brooksbank Ave
- Utility installation and paving
To make way for the bike-path and bus lane, 26 trees along Cotton Road must be removed. Replacement trees will be replanted in the boulevard once construction is complete.
This work started June 10, and will take approximately three months to complete. Please note,At times, lane closures will be necessary during off-peak hours, requiring east-bound cyclists and vehicles to share the travel lane.
E 3rd Street | Queensbury to Heywood
Work includes:
- Creation of an eastbound bus lane
- Protected east and westbound bike lanes on the 3rd St hill
- Paving
To make way for the bike path and bus lane, limited tree removal of approximately four trees is required in order to widen the road.
This work began June 17, and will take approximately three months to complete. At times, lane closures will be necessary, requiring eastbound and westbound cyclists and vehicles to share the travel lane.
Esplanade & Lonsdale
Work includes:
- Creation of left turn lanes on Esplanade at Chesterfield, Rogers and Lonsdale
- Adding new signals and pedestrian crossings at Esplanade and Rogers as well as Lonsdale at 1st and 2nd
- Paving
To make way for the new left turn lanes, limited curb removal will be required on Esplanade at Lonsdale and Chesterfield in order to widen the road.
This work began July 22 and will take approximately three months to complete. Please note, at times lane closures will be necessary, requiring eastbound and westbound cyclists and vehicles to share the travel lane.
Marine Drive RapidBus Interactive Map - NEW!
Take a look at our interactive map, which highlights the key Marine Drive RapidBus related changes in the City of North Vancouver. Numbered points indicate areas where you can zoom in to see new features and changes. Have fun exploring!
Making Space for the RapidBus
The RapidBus route is being designed to accommodate bus lanes while keeping two regular traffic lanes in each direction. No general travel lanes will be removed.
The additional space will be gained by:
- pushing back curbs and sidewalks in some locations
- shifting some lanes
- reallocating some median space
- adding parking restrictions in some area during peak times
Vehicles will still be able to make right and left turns. Additional left-hand turn lanes are being added to improve traffic flow at some intersections.
Changes to help the RapidBus move more efficiently: