These photos show an old street regrading project in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Street regrading projects often generate significant impacts for adjacent land owners.
These photos illustrate some of the reasons why.
The regrade project shown here is located in a one-block section of West 41st Avenue,
between Manitoba and Ontario Streets. At this location, West 41st Avenue is constructed
to a six-lane standard and operated with four driving lanes and two parking lanes.
By comparing the elevation of the street to the adjacent single family homes, it is
apparent that a large quantity of earth was excavated to create a level street in this
block. To provide support for the adjacent properties, large concrete retaining walls
have been constructed on both sides of West 41st Avenue.
The retaining walls appear to have been constructed within the City owned street
right of way. The walls are located approximately one meter from the property line.
The retaining walls effectively prevent direct vehicle access from the residential
properties to the street. Although vehicle access to and from West 41st Avenue is not
available, the adjacent properties can be reached from another street on the north side
and a lane on the south side.
The placement of the retaining walls leaves sufficient room for a narrow foot-path
between the top of the wall and the residential properties on both sides of the street.
Stairs are located at both ends of the wall on the north side and sloping ramps are
available behind the south side wall. Thus pedestrian access is still possible
from West 41st Avenue to the adjacent properties.
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