Helicopter operation to cause delays for Vancouver drivers this weekend, says city

You may want to give yourself extra time if you’re planning on heading into downtown Vancouver this weekend.

The City of Vancouver says the area of Granville and Dunsmuir will be closed for pedestrians and vehicles to allow a helicopter to transport industrial-sized cooling tower units to the roof of a building at 609 Granville Street.

“The operation will make over 15 flights to and from the building,” the City of Vancouver said in a news release. “Weather permitting, each flight will take 10 to 15 minutes to complete and the largest piece of equipment being lifted will weigh about 5,500 pounds.”

Impacts will include:

• Bus service to Granville Street north of the Granville Street Bridge will be rerouted to Seymour Street (northbound) and Howe Street (southbound);
• Granville Street north of West Georgia will be closed to all commercial vehicle traffic (taxis, delivery trucks, etc.);
• access to sidewalks around 609 Granville will be restricted; and
• intersections along Granville St at Dunsmuir, West Pender, West Hastings, and West Cordova will remain open except for intermittent closures when the helicopter is flying over the street.

The city says SkyTrain service will not be affected.

The road closures will be in effect on Saturday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The city says the work is expected to wrap up Saturday afternoon, but may extend into Sunday.