Motorists planning to traverse through Port Moody on Sunday, Aug. 18, take note: St. Johns Street is being repatriated to the people.
The busy thoroughfare will be closed to all vehicle traffic between Moody and Douglas streets from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. to accommodate the five-year return of the city’s Car-Free Day festival.
Instead, drivers should take Clarke Street, as other routes through Port Moody’s downtown are for local traffic and business access only.
Transit users will find temporary bus stops along Clarke as well.
Port Moody celebrated its first Car-Free Day in 2017, joining a growing legion of cities around the world blocking busy streets to bring their communities together and encourage motorists to explore alternate means of transportation, like transit, cycling or even walking.
Major cities that hold car-free days include:
- Vancouver
- Portland, Ore.
- Paris
- London
- Rotterdam
More than 25,000 people attended Port Moody’s Car-Free Day in 2019, but the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent impact on city finances kept the barriers in storage for four years.
This year’s event is budgeted to cost about $124,000.
It runs from noon until 5 p.m.
Entertainers like Zaya Philip and Sam the Astronaut will perform on the closed street lined with about 100 community booths featuring local businesses, artisans and non-profit groups, along with displays by TransLink, Port Moody Fire Rescue, Port Moody Public Library as well as the city’s environment and climate action teams.
A map of the road closure, alternate route and locations of temporary bus stops is available on the city's website.
Car-Free Day is returning to Port Moody. Here's what you need to know https://t.co/KWRIa6gC1i
— Tri-City News (@TriCityNews) August 2, 2024
