Clearing congestion on the North Shore
Reducing traffic congestion remains a pressing issue on the North Shore. We can make progress by making the most efficient use of our roadways, including:
Reducing single-occupancy journeys
Encouraging transit use
Promoting active transportation, including walking and cycling.
Instead of building more lanes and bridges for vehicles, we should focus on expanding rapid transit, improving bus service, supporting shared mobility options, and investing in safe walking and cycling routes. These solutions move more people more efficiently, ease gridlock, and cut greenhouse gas emissions, tackling both congestion and climate change simultaneously.
Public transit on the Sea to Sky highway
A significant factor contributing to congestion is the need for public transit on the Sea to Sky highway. A portion of the North Shore’s traffic comes from vehicles travelling to and from destinations north of West Vancouver, including ferry traffic. BC Ferries carries more than 3 million vehicles annually on routes to and from Bowen Island, Vancouver Island, and the Sunshine Coast, generally arriving or departing from Horseshoe Bay and moving eastward. A robust public transit system on the Sea to Sky would reduce congestion in our communities.
No third crossing over Burrard Inlet
Building a third vehicle crossing over the Burrard Inlet would be counter-productive as it would simply attract more traffic than the current two bridges. More vehicles on the North Shore would only make things worse. The provincial government is looking at replacing the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge to accommodate transit-only lanes. That will help, but not anytime soon. Another way to address congestion is to build more affordable housing options right here in West Vancouver, so our workforce would not have to drive across Burrard Inlet to get to work. Local solutions are usually quicker and cheaper than large infrastructure projects.
Expanding Bus Rapid Transit
On 21 September 2025, TransLink completed public engagement on its plans for a Bus Rapid Transit service from Metrotown, across the Iron Workers Memorial bridge, along Main Street, Third Street, Esplanade and Marine Drive to Park Royal. This Bus Rapid Transit service will provide fast, frequent, and reliable transit that operates in dedicated bus lanes. It will also utilize transit signal priority at intersections and offer weather-protected stations. TransLink estimates that the Metrotown-North Shore BRT would provide rapid transit access to more than 85,000 households and approximately 100,000 jobs within walking distance of the route.
Connecting the North Shore
North Shore Connects, a partnership between the District of West Vancouver, Squamish Nation, City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, and Tsleil-Waututh Nation, is working on a suite of projects to improve transportation and reduce traffic congestion to and from the North Shore.
Ultimately, reducing congestion in West Vancouver depends on a coordinated plan among all the players. We must begin now to bring these projects to life for the benefit of our residents and the environment.
