The City of Vancouver says locals will "soon be closer to the water" as they bike or walk past Science World in False Creek this spring.
City crews are working on a new compacted gravel path between Creekside Community Centre and Science World. The "wider, separated" path is expected to open in late May and improve access around False Creek this summer.
The new path will remain in place while the city continues long-term planning for the future of the Expo Deck; a section of the south deck is expected to remain closed to the public indefinitely.
City closed Expo Deck amid safety concerns
In February, the city closed the Expo Deck south of Science World due to safety concerns, including the nearby Seawall path. Inspections of the aging deck confirmed portions of the structure were reaching the end of their lifespan, creating a public safety risk, according to a release.
Pedestrians and cyclists to the Seaside Greenway have been able to use a temporary detour as the city and consultants continued assessing the structure's condition to identify a new path to connect them to the Seaside Greenway.
The city says people can use the temporary detour routes along Ontario, Switchmen and Quebec streets to access the Seawall and the Seaside Greenway.
Plans for new paths near Science World
The city says it is building two new, wide, comfortable and separated side-by-side paths for pedestrians and cyclists.
"The new route will seamlessly connect users from the Seawall and Seaside Greenway at Ontario St to the Seawall and Seaside Greenway paths in front of Science World," the city writes in a press release.
The city worked closely with structural engineers to determine a safe plan, and pre-construction activities are underway.
During construction, the deck's grass area will be excavated, and gravel will be placed and compacted to form the new path. Access to Science World will continue throughout construction.
