Vancouver has built an underground LRT route, known as the Canada Line thanks to the Federal Government funding. It connects the airport to downtown along the north-south artery of Cambie Street. The line was built just in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Many hotels Vancouver offers its visitors are right beside the new station.
Closer to midtown, an area known as Cambie Village and before the construction began, TransLink, the local transit authority originally said they were going to tunnel the underground route in order to avoid disruption on street level. However, only a few weeks before construction began, they announced they would use the ‘cut and cover’ method, which force several local businesses to close. In order to placate irate store owners, Cambie Village became one of the few places along the Canada Line where streetscape improvements vastly changed the area for better.
Like any recently rebuilt street, the sidewalk and boulevard are clearly indicated and street furniture such as benches and bike racks that are nicely organized and appealing to the eye. Outside restaurants, food icons were placed into the sidewalk in front of the entrance. The manhole covers in the area have a water theme, and due to Vancouver’s reputation as a green city, there are nicely designed recycling bins. Even though some business had to close their doors due to the new line being put in, the area gained a great boon of modernity.