Abstract Manager

Over the past several years, cities across Canada and throughout the world have increasingly shifted their approach to delivering bikeways by following a rapid implementation or quick-build approach. From Vancouver to Montreal to Paris to Barcelona, many cities around the world have been successful with the rapid deployment of active transportation infrastructure.      

In 2020, Calgary converted 13 km of vehicle lanes to cycling and pedestrian space, while Toronto approved 25 km of new temporary bike lanes. In 2021, the Federal Government of Canada announced $400M over five years to help build new and expanded networks of pathways, bike lanes, trails and pedestrian bridges. In 2022, Montreal announced plans to construct 200 km of protected bike lanes within 5 years. In Europe, England added 240 km of active transportation infrastructure, while Barcelona implemented 160 km in just a few years.     

Rapid implementation facilitates an urgent response to a range of critical issues facing our communities, including the climate emergency, social inequity, public health, road safety, congestion, housing, and increasingly constrained municipal budgets. This approach to project delivery can help accelerate our response to these issues by delivering convenient, reliable, affordable, and safe mobility choices in a rapid, adaptable, and cost-effective manner. The flexibility embedded in this process also enables fast and responsive design adjustments, ensuring that as facilities are made permanent over time, they meet the needs of a broad range of users and contribute to the creation of vibrant, healthy, safe, and resilient communities.      

For these reasons, rapid implementation became a key strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic, with cities around the world re-allocating road space to meet physical distancing requirements and accommodate changing mobility patterns. With fast deployment, projects allow local government to leverage limited public dollars for greater public benefit.      

By delivering rapid implementation active transportation projects both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, Steve Carney PEng, PTOE, and Saavin Khurana, PEng, PMP speak to the opportunities, challenges, and lessons learned on the Mt. Seymour Parkway Rapid Implementation Project, the Gallant Avenue Pedestrian Zone Pilot, and the Lougheed Highway Rapid Implementation Project. Steve and Saavin will also discuss the emerging best practices, how to position projects to secure public and political support, TransLink’s Rapid Implementation Design Guidelines, and available funding streams to deliver these fast-moving infrastructure initiatives.