Pacific Boulevard closes through late July for FIFA World Cup prep
A key downtown corridor will shut to vehicle traffic this weekend as Vancouver prepares infrastructure for the summer's FIFA tournament.
Pacific Boulevard between Carrall and Smithe streets will close to vehicle traffic starting this Saturday, remaining shut until late July as Vancouver prepares for the FIFA World Cup.
The northern lanes of Pacific Boulevard connecting Nelson Street to Smithe Street will temporarily reopen for two-way local traffic only, allowing residents and businesses in the area limited access while the main corridor undergoes preparation.
The closure is part of a broader downtown transformation ahead of the tournament. Earlier this month, FIFA set a $75 parking fee for World Cup games at BC Place, signalling how comprehensively the event will reshape the city's core over the coming weeks.
The extended closure will affect commuters, delivery routes, and foot traffic in an already-busy part of downtown. Residents and workers in the Gastown and False Creek areas should plan for longer travel times and consider alternate routes. Local businesses may see reduced walk-in traffic during the closure period.
The tournament begins in early June, and the infrastructure work reflects FIFA's requirements and Vancouver's commitment to hosting matches at BC Place. The scale of the disruption — shutting a major artery for two months — underscores how significant a World Cup event is for the city's physical and economic landscape.