8th Avenue Takes Center Stage as Broadway Closes for Subway Work

A significant construction phase has begun with the full closure of a one-block section of Broadway between Quebec Street and Main Street. This closure, which will last for four months, is part of the ongoing project to extend the Millennium Line of SkyTrain. As of today, the area is experiencing a shift in traffic patterns, with East 8th Avenue serving as a temporary detour for general vehicles.

To manage the transition, traffic control personnel have been deployed at critical intersections to guide drivers through the new routes. Concrete barriers have been installed along Quebec Street to create single travel lanes in each direction, facilitating movement between East Broadway and Main Street. The intersection at East Broadway and Quebec Street has required particular attention due to its narrow geometry, necessitating modifications for larger vehicles and TransLink buses.

A temporary diagonal roadway has been constructed across the parking lot of the former used car dealership at 77 East Broadway. This route aims to accommodate turning radii for larger vehicles and articulated buses used on the 99 B-Line. As of Monday morning, crews were finalizing details on several temporary traffic elements, including the installation of new traffic signals at the intersections of East 8th Avenue with Main Street and Quebec Street.

Westbound traffic is being redirected north onto Kingsway, with only buses allowed to continue westward toward Main Street. Traffic volumes have decreased significantly along Broadway east of Cambie Street, as many drivers appear to be following traffic advisories and opting for alternative routes such as 12th Avenue and 2nd Avenue.

Local businesses have expressed serious concerns about the prolonged closure. Neil Wyles, the executive director of the Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Area (MPBIA), highlighted that many businesses were already struggling before this closure. He stated, “For owners along the corridor, this is not an abstract construction milestone. It is the beginning of another prolonged period of lost revenue, reduced access, and deep uncertainty for businesses that are already stretched to their limits.”

The closure was first announced by the provincial government in October 2025, aimed at safely removing East Broadway’s temporary four-lane traffic deck installed during the construction of Mount Pleasant Station. This deck, completed in April 2022, allowed traffic to continue during major construction work.

As the closure progresses, Wyles has called on the provincial government to provide emergency financial relief to affected businesses. He noted that many owners have already exhausted their savings and made significant sacrifices to keep their operations afloat. Wyles will meet with Mike Farnworth, the B.C. Minister of Transportation and Transit, on Tuesday to discuss potential support measures.

Looking ahead, the provincial government has not yet announced its plans for the remaining four spans of temporary East Broadway vehicle traffic decks, which also require removal as part of the ongoing construction. These spans are located at Broadway-City Hall, VGH-Oak, South Granville, and Arbutus and may face similar full road closures in the future.

Completion of the Millennium Line extension, which will reach Arbutus, is scheduled for Fall 2027. This project represents a significant investment in the region’s public transportation infrastructure but poses immediate challenges for local businesses navigating construction disruptions. As the situation develops, the community will be closely monitoring the impacts on both traffic patterns and local commerce.