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EYE ON:
Canada’s Arbutus Line
By Ron Richings/Special to Rails-to-
Trails Conservancy
From many points across Vancouver, the
North Shore Mountains, snow-capped
and shimmering in the sunshine, pro-
vide a stunning backdrop. From other
spots, you’ll find expansive views of
English Bay and the broader Strait of
Georgia to the west. These landscapes, as
well as countless downtown connections,
could be center stage on a proposed rail-
trail from False Creek to the Fraser River
in Vancouver.
The 9.5-kilometer Arbutus Line runs
roughly north-south—with an “s” curve
in the middle—between two downtown
bridges. At the north end, the corridor
begins near the Burrard Street Bridge
across False Creek (with a nearby con-
nection to popular Granville Island). It
then cuts across the city’s west side down
to the Canada Line rail bridge over the
north arm of the Fraser River.
Originally constructed in 1902, the
Arbutus Line served as a connection to
Vancouver’s forested southern reaches. It
also was a link to an interurban streetcar
route south to Steveston, an important
fishing community on the Fraser River’s
main channel. When streetcar service
ended around 1954, freight traffic con-
tinued to run along the corridor but
gradually decreased until it was discon-
tinued in 2000; since then, the route has
been sitting unused.
For more than 100 years, the Arbutus
Line has been owned by the Canadian
Pacific Railway as part of an extensive
historical land grant. While currently
zoned specifically for transportation,
the right-of-way—which runs through
some of the most expensive real estate in
the city—has attracted the attention of
developers and other companies. A series
of court cases regarding potential use
of the line dragged on for a number of
years, ultimately requiring a decision by
Trail Under Construction:
Arbutus Line Rail-Trail
Location:
Vancouver, British Columbia
Used Railroad Corridor:
Canadian Pacific Railway
Length:
9.5 kilometers/5.9 miles
Proposed Surface:
Paved
RON RICHINGS
Canada’s Supreme Court in 2006. The
long legal process and decision, though
affirming use restricted to transporta-
tion, soured the relationship between the
city and the railroad, hindering discus-
sions for other use of the line.
Then, two years ago, a group of advo-
cates, under the aegis of the Vancouver
Area Cycling Coalition, took up pro-
moting the project and its enormous
promise. Making connections with
community, educational, recreational
and commercial groups, these supporters
have worked to encourage the city, rail-
road and other stakeholders to advance
the trail concept.
The reasons for grassroots enthusiasm
are plentiful. The Arbutus Line passes
within one kilometer of 25 parks, 28
schools, four community centers, 16
commercial areas and 10 existing bike
paths. As a transportation and recreation
corridor, the line provides a low-gradient
route over the ridge that divides the
north and south sections of the city. At
the “s” curve, which allows for the gentle
ridge crossing, the right-of-way is wide
enough to allow for benches, picnic
tables and other amenities.
Beyond its potential within
Vancouver, the Arbutus Line could
become an important link in the devel-
oping Blue Heron nature route and the
Trans Canada Trail. Plus, at its southern
end the Arbutus Line would connect to
a recently built pedestrian pathway on
the Canada Line bridge.
So far, no agreement between the
city and the railroad that would allow
conversion to a multi-use trail has been
completed, but the route remains intact,
local support is growing, and advocates
remain optimistic.
For more on the Arbutus Line, or to
find out how you can get involved, con-
tact BikeHub at
info@bikehub.ca
.
Heather Harvey, a member of the Vancouver
Area Cycling Coalition, pedals alongside the
unused tracks of the Arbutus Line corridor.