The Arbutus Corridor

The Arbutus Corridor is a unique intact 11 km rail line that runs from False Creek to the Fraser River. Canadian Pacific Railroad (CPR) ran service on this line until 2001.

A jurisdiction dispute between CPR and the City of Vancouver is currently in the Supreme Court of Canada over the July 2000 decision by Vancouver City Council passing the Arbutus Corridor Official Development Plan(ODP).  The plan proposes to develop the corridor as a multi-use transportation and greenway corridor including rail, bicycle, and pedestrian use.

A public opinion poll in 2000 found that 79 percent of Vancouver residents wanted to retain the Arbutus Corridor as a transportation right of way.

Arbutus Corridor looking north from King Edward.

All Aboard the Arbutus Corridor

In 2004, SPEC launched All Aboard the Arbutus Corridor, a pubic design contest inviting the professional and general community to submit designs and ideas for the future development of the corridor. We received over 75 submissions and in February 2005 a judging panel selected the winning entries.

SPEC mounted an exhibit in the Atrium of the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, beginning with an Open House and Awards Ceremony on March 18th, 2005 which was attended by over 100 people.

View the winner submissions and a selection of other entries. Gain a unique perspective on the corridor with our link to Aerial Photography which is not to be missed!

Next Steps

To the best of our knowledge there is no current initiative by CP Rail to sell the corridor or or put a development option before the City but they have made a previous proposal for developing the land for housing. SPEC continues to follow the issue and will campaign to ensure its ongoing use as a transportation corridor.