Access

Port Metro Vancouver’s PortPass Program

During the Olympics, a Port Metro Vancouver PortPass will remain as the primary identification required for access to the Port as it is today. Passes should be worn above the waist and visible, at all times, now and during the Games.

Learn more about the PortPass Program.

Marine Controlled Access Zones

Leading up to and during the Games, there will be specific areas within Port Metro Vancouver waters with controlled access, particularly surrounding water-side Olympic venues. Additional measures will be in place between mid-January and the end of March, 2010. If you plan to operate a vessel during this period, in or near the waters of the four areas identified below, please be aware of additional measures controlling access that will be in effect for Coal Harbour, False Creek, the Fraser River and the Sea to Sky Corridor.

Controlled access in these areas is designed to protect and safeguard athletes, spectators and the general public participating in the Olympics. Marine security personnel from the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit will be monitoring all maritime activities in these areas. Controlled Access Zone procedures will be published in Notices to Mariners closer to Games time.

Visit Transport Canada for more information.

Coal Harbour

Marine access will be restricted in the area immediately surrounding Canada Place and the new convention centre, from January 25 to March 5, which during the Games will serve as the Main Media Centre. In addition, from January 30 to March 24, a temporary Olympic Marine Security Zone has been established in Burrard Inlet off Canada Place from the West end of Harbour Green to the Northwest tip of Centerm. This restricted area is marked by lit buoys. All vessels are required to avoid this security zone and navigate with caution when approaching security vessels. Olympic Marine Security can be contacted on VHF channel 09 or 16.

• Exclusion Zones (EZ):

  Area surrounding the Main Media Centre. Access to the EZ is prohibited. No activities are allowed within this area.

• Controlled-Access Zones (CAZ):

  Area extending from mid-Coal Harbour to the western tip of Centerm container terminal, bordering the exclusion zone surrounding the Main Media Centre. Access to the CAZ area is restricted, permissible with authorization by the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit.

• Reduced Speed Zone:

  Area extending from Brockton Point to western tip of Centerm container terminal. Speeds are to be reduced to five knots in this area during Games time.

Regular users of the CAZ area, including float planes, will not be restricted, rather during Games time required to communicate with the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit waterside security team when transiting the area.

False Creek

Marine access will be restricted in False Creek, east of the Cambie Street Bridge, from January 25 to March 25, where a temporary Olympic Marine Security Zone has been established. This restricted area is marked by lit buoys and a floating marine barrier. All vessels are required to remain clear and not approach within 50 metres of the floating barrier. Olympic Marine Security can be contacted on VHF channel 09 or 16.

• Exclusion Zones (EZ):

  Area of False Creek, extending east from the Cambie Street Bridge, surrounding the Olympic Athletes Village and Science World. Access to the EZ is prohibited. No activities are allowed within this area.

• Controlled-Access Zones (CAZ):

  Area of False Creek, extending east from the Cambie Street Bridge, surrounding the Plaza of Nations. Access to the CAZ area is restricted, permissible with authorization by the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit.

False Creek is within the City of Vancouver’s jurisdiction. Speeds are to be reduced to five knots in this area during Games time.

Fraser River

Marine access will be restricted in the Middle Arm of the Fraser River, south of the Vancouver International Airport, between the No. 2 Road and Dinsmore Bridges:

• Exclusion Zones (EZ):

  Area of the Fraser River surrounding the Richmond Olympic Oval. Access to the EZ is prohibited. No activities are allowed within this area.

• Controlled-Access Zones (CAZ):

  Area of the Fraser River, between the No. 2 Road and Dinsmore Bridges, bordering the exclusion zone surrounding the Richmond Olympic Oval. Access to the CAZ area is restricted, permissible with authorization by the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit.

Sea to Sky Corridor

There will be enhanced surveillance by the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit in the Sea to Sky Corridor from late January to end of March, 2010.

Terminal Access

Leading up to and during the Games, there will be specific areas within Port Metro Vancouver with controlled access, particularly roadways surrounding Olympic venues. Additional measures will be in place between mid-January and the end of March 2010. If you plan to access areas identified below, please be aware of additional measures controlling access that may be in effect for Canada Place and other terminals.

Controlled access in these areas is designed to protect and safeguard athletes, spectators and the general public participating in the 2010 Winter Games. Security personnel will be monitoring activities in areas where additional controls are established.

A Port Metro Vancouver PortPass will remain as the primary identification required for access to the Port as it is today. Passes should be worn above the waist and visible, at all times, now and during the Games.

Learn more about the PortPass Program.

Canada Place

Canada Place will host the Main Press Centre (MPC) for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The new convention centre will host the International Broadcast Centre (IBC). Together, the two facilities will serve as the Main Media Centre (MMC) hosting over 10,000 media representatives from all over the world.

Pedestrian access to Canada Place, and in particular, Port Metro Vancouver’s Vancouver office, will be restricted. To access the Port Authority’s offices during this period, please consider the following options:

1. West Concourse:

   Outside, upper concourse only. Currently, the inside and outside lower concourses are not accessible due to renovations of the Convention Centre in preparation for the Games.

2. East Concourse:

   Outside only. During Games time, visitors will be required to pass through a security check point. As of January 29, 2010, elevators to Port Metro Vancouver’s office are restricted and require a valid PortPass. Visitors are encouraged to make arrangements with their Port Metro Vancouver contact to be escorted into the office.

3. Parking Lots:

   Pedestrian access to the Port Authority’s office is through P2 parking level only. As of January 29, 2010, elevator access to the office is restricted and requires a valid PortPass. Visitors may be escorted by a Port Authority employee.

4. West Concourse:

   Road closures will be in effect as of January 27, 2010 for Canada Place Way and Cordova Street. Effective January 30, 2010, Waterfront Road will be closed off to vehicles that do not have a valid residence parking permit.

There will be no public parking at Canada Place or at Port Metro Vancouver’s Waterfront Road parking lots adjacent to Canada Place during Games time. Visitors are encouraged to use public transportation where possible or may park at three nearby IMPARK parking lots: 
            • 400 West Cordova St. at Homer St. 
            • 500 West Cordova St. at Seymour St. 
            • 604 West Cordova St. at Granville St.

South Shore Terminals

Port Metro Vancouver operates three access gates, known as VACS gates, which restrict access to the South Shore Corridor to port-authorized vehicles only, those with a Port Metro Vancouver-issued PortPass. These gates are located at various points across the South Shore as follows: 

1. Clark Drive

   Overpass linking to Hastings Street, access point for all employee and commercial vehicles (with PortPass), and pre-approved visitors. 

2. Commissioner Street

   Overpass to McGill Street (or the Commissions Overpass), access point for all employee and commercial vehicles (with PortPass), and pre-approved visitors. 

3. Heatley Avenue

   Overpass linking to Powell Street (restricted to emergency vehicles and PortPass holders), access for all Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit (ISU) personnel, and Port employees, with valid PortPass.

Container truck reservations will be checked at entrance gates to make sure that each truck has arrived within its reservation window. This means that a truck that has a reservation for 10:00 am can arrive at the facility between 9:30 am and 11:30 am.

The container terminal reservation window is currently two hours. There will be no changes to this window during the 2010 Winter Games.

Emergency Response vehicles will continue to have access to the South Shore Corridor via existing gates at Heatley Avenue, Clark Drive, and Commissioner Street overpasses. Victoria Drive will be available to Emergency Response Vehicles if the existing gates are not available.

Ballantyne Pier

Accommodation Vessels will be berthed at Ballantyne Pier during the Winter Games for use by Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit (ISU) personnel. Access to Ballantyne Pier will be restricted by the ISU. 

• The primary routes used by ISU-authorized vehicles to enter and exit the Port will be via the Heatley Street Overpass. 
• ISU will provide access and traffic control for Heatley Overpass.

The Integrated Security Unit and Port Metro Vancouver have placed additional traffic control personnel at Heatley Overpass and Ballantyne Pier in order to minimize disruption to traffic along Centennial Road.

All Other Terminals

No change to access.