Horseshoe Bay Streetscape & Spirit Trail
Update August 2019
Construction of phase 1 of the Horseshoe Bay Streetscape Revitalization project is scheduled to begin the week of September 6, 2019. This work is expected to be substantially complete in 6–8 weeks, weather permitting.
This project includes streetscape updates to Royal Avenue between Bay Street and Bruce Street, including new concrete sidewalks, lighting, benches, bike racks, new street trees and other plantings. A separated northbound bike lane that will be installed on the east side of Royal Avenue, with no impact to existing parking spaces. In addition, preparations have begun for the undergrounding of hydro poles in the Horseshoe Bay commercial area, including Royal Avenue, Bay Street and Bruce Street.
During construction, traffic control personnel will be on site to manage traffic flow and provide safe access for pedestrians and emergency vehicles. Every effort will be made to minimize disruptions to businesses while this work is being completed.
If you have additional questions, District staff will be at the propeller at the intersection of Royal Avenue and Bay Street to talk about the planned work on:
- Wednesday, August 21 from 10 a.m.–12 p.m
- Thursday, August 22 from 4–6 p.m.
Spirit Trail along Royal Avenue
The final section of the Spirit Trail in the western portion of the District will be constructed along Royal Avenue between Chatham Street and Bruce Street.
Designs for the Spirit Trail along Royal Avenue between Chatham Street and Bruce Street are being revised to incorporate feedback from the community. Construction of the Spirit Trail has been delayed until the final design is complete.
The District has been working on the western portion of Spirit Trail for the past four years—this is the final section to complete the connection to Horseshoe Bay. Spirit Trail work will tie into the Phase 1 work for the Horseshoe Bay Streetscape streetscape improvements, which will rejuvenate the commercial area of Horseshoe Bay. This work will be coordinated to minimize impacts on residents.
Spirit Trail, Royal Avenue – Concept Plan
Horseshoe Bay Streetscape Improvements
The Horseshoe Bay Streetscape Plan is a cohesive and unified streetscape design strategy to revitalize the commercial area of Horseshoe Bay Village, which hasn't been upgraded on a large scale since 1986. The intention is to enhance livability, strengthen economic activity and create a vibrant area where local businesses can compete with other retail centres.
The Horseshoe Bay streetscape improvements will be phased over the next 3 years and will coincide with construction of the Spirit Trail to minimize impacts on residents.
The streetscape improvements will:
- help foster a unique and distinct sense of place
- create public space for programming
- prioritize pedestrian and cycling use
- increase road safety
- exemplify the District’s commitment to sustainable transportation and development
Horseshoe Bay Streetscape – Phase 1 Design
Survey
We asked for your input on the design of the planned Spirit Trail along Royal Avenue and the Horseshoe Bay streetscape improvements. This feedback will help to inform the final design of both projects. The survey is now closed.
An information meeting was held on Tuesday, April 24 for residents to learn more and ask questions about plans for the construction of the Horseshoe Bay Streetscape and Spirit Trail along Royal Avenue. Over 50 people attended the open house and provided input into the draft design. This input has been summarized and will be incorporated into changes to the design.
The District has summarized the feedback received from residents in a question and answer format in the document below. More questions and responses will be added as they are received.
Open House and Survey - Feedback and Responses
If your question has not be articulated correctly or if you have additional questions, please contact John Calimente, Transportation Analyst.
Spirit Trail along Royal Avenue
Construction hours are 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday to Friday, or as required to complete work on schedule.
The work will include:
- construction of a two-way bikeway on the east side of Royal Avenue alongside the existing sidewalk, shifting parking to the west side of the street
- realignment of curb on the west side of Royal Avenue
- extension of the walking path on the west side of Royal Avenue
- some encroachments on the west side of Royal Avenue will be lost
- loss of some dogwood trees; some will be replanted
Horseshoe Bay Streetscape
Construction hours are 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, or as required to complete work on schedule.
Project area: Royal Avenue between Chatham Street and 6640 Royal Avenue, including portions of Bruce Street. Project activities include:
- new sidewalks and road surface
- full road reconstruction with curbs, catch basins, retaining walls, asphalt repaving and landscape restoration
- repaving of the pedestrian area on Bruce Street
- new, brighter street lighting
- installation of an electric vehicle charging station at the corner of Bruce Street and Royal Avenue
- new foliage and benches
- replacement of cherry trees with native trees that are better suited to a marine environment and will not disturb pavement, decreasing tripping hazards and maintenance
The electrical vehicle charging station will be installed first due to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) deadline.
Spirit Trail along Royal Avenue
Royal Avenue:
- parking will be shifted to the west side of the street
- will remain open with periods when vehicle access is restricted to local traffic only
Traffic control persons will be on-site during construction hours to help facilitate access for local traffic and any emergency vehicles.
Horseshoe Bay Streetscape
- Royal Avenue and Bruce Street will remain open with periods when vehicle access is restricted to local residents
- parking will be restricted on the road and boulevards during construction
- temporary no parking signs will be installed prior to construction
Traffic control persons will be on-site during construction hours to help facilitate access for local traffic and any emergency vehicles. The construction site manager will assist business owners and residents.
The Spirit Trail is an accessible greenway that will eventually extend from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to Deep Cove in the District of North Vancouver. The three North Shore municipalities, together with the federal and provincial governments, First Nations and other agencies are working together on its completion.
In the District of West Vancouver, 7 kilometres of trail have now been completed. The total length of the Spirit Trail in West Vancouver will be approximately 19 kilometres.
Consultation on the western portion of Spirit Trail for Gleneagles and Horseshoe Bay began in 2013. At that time, residents expressed a strong preference to use Exit 0 and the Highway 1 corridor to connect Spirit Trail to the BC Ferries Terminal. The outcome of discussions with BC Ferries was that the construction of Spirit Trail would entail removal of one vehicle lane on the highway. As this would result in vehicle traffic back ups and delays in offloading ferry traffic, it was rejected as an option by BC Ferries.
A route along Exit 0, Raleigh Street and Royal Avenue was chosen as it was the most direct route that avoided crossing the busy vehicle routes of Marine Drive and Nelson Avenue, and followed District rights of way. Routing of Spirit Trail on Nelson Avenue would have resulted in the loss of numerous parking spaces and also follows a less direct route than Royal Avenue.
- November 2013 – First open house on planning for Spirit Trail Zones 3&4 (Gleneagles and Horseshoe Bay)
- June 2014 – Meeting with BC Ferries on idea for Spirit Trail alignment on Highway 1
- July 2014 – Meeting with stakeholder groups on Spirit Trail (WRA, HBBA)
- September 2014 – Second meeting with BC Ferries on concept design for Spirit Trail alignment on Highway and into Horseshoe Bay terminal; concept rejected by BC Ferries due to impact of removing one vehicle lane on offloading ferry traffic.
- October 2014 – Meeting with stakeholder groups on Spirit Trail (WRA, HBBA)
- May 2015 – Meeting with stakeholder groups on Spirit Trail (WRA, HBBA) – proposal for use of Exit 0/Raleigh/Royal instead of Exit 0/Highway 1
- Summer 2015 – Construction of Spirit Trail at Gleneagles Elementary
- December 2015 – Open house – Spirit Trail to Horseshoe Bay via Exit 0, Raleigh St, and Royal Avenue
- Spring/summer 2017 – Construction of Spirit Trail on Exit 0/Raleigh Street
- April 2018 – Presentation to stakeholder groups on Spirit Trail Royal Avenue and Horseshoe Bay Streetscape
- April 2018 – Open house on Spirit Trail Royal Avenue and Horseshoe Bay Streetscape
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