Businesses brace for impact as two blocks of Broadway close for subway construction

Broadway has been closed between Alberta and Cambie streets for the latest phase of subway construction.

On Monday, crews closed two blocks of Vancouver’s Broadway corridor between Alberta and Cambie streets for the latest stage of subway construction.

Vehicle and bus traffic will be diverted onto 8th Avenue for six months.

“This stage is going to impact us the most. It’s directly right in front of us,” said Simon Salameh, the co-owner of Broadway Locksmith.

The shop remains open, as does the sidewalk. But with the street in front of it now closed, Salameh is concerned customers won’t know how to access his business.

“It’s really complicated to even access the alley and access the back door. Thank God we have it, because that’s the only way customers can park and get access to the building,” said Salameh. “Maybe some customers won’t come in just to avoid the area altogether just due to the construction.”

Salameh is also concerned about the loss of drive-by traffic and visibility for his shop.

“You won’t be able to see it even. It’s just going to be our regular customers who know where we are,” he said.

The company behind the massive project acknowledges there will be pain for some businesses.

“We’re working hard to restore the road. We understand it’s been disruptive,” said Wendy Itagawa, TI Corporation’s vice president of major projects.

“We’ve improved signage and way finding. We’re ensuring that loading areas are maintained and garbage pickup is maintained. And we understand and we really appreciate everything the businesses have done to support the project,” she added.

Salameh says the province and the city could do more to support the impacted businesses.

“There are several ways to compensate,” he said. “If they don’t want to do any payment to compensate for the loss of sales, they can decrease the property taxes for example.”

Without compensation, the six-month closure will be a challenge for Broadway Locksmith, which has been in business for over half a century.

“This phase, the last phase putting the road back on, is going to have the most impact,” said Salameh. “I’m expecting the worst. This is gonna be the test.”