The construction reality
Vancouver is a city that's constantly under construction. New transit lines, road improvements, utility upgrades, community centres—there's always something in the works. For property buyers, understanding what's planned nearby can help set expectations.
Types of city projects
Major transit construction
The Broadway Subway is the current headline project. For years, residents and businesses along the corridor have dealt with construction disruption—noise, dust, traffic detours, parking restrictions. The long-term benefit (faster transit) comes with short-term challenges.
Road and utility work
Smaller but still impactful: sewer upgrades, water main replacements, road resurfacing. These projects can mean weeks or months of your street being dug up, with limited parking and access.
New developments
Large development projects (not city projects per se, but often requiring city infrastructure coordination) can bring years of construction activity to a block.
Community facilities
New community centres, parks, or public buildings generally improve livability once complete, but construction phases affect nearby residents.
Short-term pain, long-term gain?
City projects often follow a pattern:
- During construction: Disruption, inconvenience, potential impact on property access
- After completion: Improved infrastructure, better access, and new services
The Broadway Subway is a classic example. Years of disruption will eventually yield a rapid transit line that transforms commute times for the entire corridor.
But "eventually" can mean 3-5+ years of living next to a construction zone.
Finding project information
Major Projects Website
The City of Vancouver publishes information on major planning and infrastructure projects. This is useful for large-scale initiatives but may not capture smaller projects.
Roadwork and Construction Updates
The city provides updates on current and upcoming road work. Check this if you're concerned about a specific street.
Open Data Portal
Construction activity datasets can be downloaded, though they require some technical skill to analyze.
What to look for
When researching a property, consider:
- Active projects: What's currently under construction nearby?
- Planned projects: What's in the planning pipeline for the next 1-3 years?
- Project timelines: When will active projects be completed?
- Scope of impact: How close is the construction to your potential property?
The evidence approach
RadiusDossier dossiers include a city projects section that documents nearby municipal projects—what they are, their status, and their distance from your address. We compile this from official sources so you can see what's happening without digging through multiple portals.
We present the facts. Whether a nearby project is a major consideration or an acceptable trade-off is entirely your call.
Explore our pricing to understand what's included.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice.