Olympics Expected To Cause Transport Disruptions

Vancouver will hold the Winter Olympics from 12-28 February 2010. There have been no reported threats and the overall assessment of risks is low. More than 15,000 police officers, private security officers and military personnel will be deployed to provide security. Security will be tight near Olympic venues, and authorities will implement various road closures and airspace restrictions during the Games. Popular tourist areas -- including Granville and Robson streets -- will be blocked off to motorists and will have a heightened police presence. Spectators should arrive at venues three hours before the start of outdoor events and two hours before the start of indoor events. Spectators must go through metal detectors and have their bags checked before entering venues. The Olympics are expected to cause significant transportation disruptions throughout Vancouver; various street closures have already gone into effect in areas near Olympic venues. City officials have strongly encouraged spectators to rely on public transportation during the Olympics, as parking will not be available at Olympic venues and vehicle access will be extremely limited at most event sites. Authorities have warned city residents and visitors to expect delays of up to one hour at train stations during the Olympics. Protesters are likely to hold demonstrations over a number of political and economic causes throughout the Games. The city of Vancouver has established "safe assembly areas" near Olympic venues for protest activities, though protesters are generally free to hold demonstrations anywhere in the city outside of the secured areas surrounding venues. The north lawn of the Vancouver Art Gallery is expected to be an epicenter for protests; a demonstration in opposition to the Olympics will be held on 12 February, the day of the opening ceremony. Demonstrations are scheduled for the entirety of the Games. Temporary Flight Restrictions will be in place within a 30-mi/50-km radius over Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia, from 28 January to 4 March. Flight operators must obtain an authorization from the V2010 Integrated Security Unit in order to utilize Vancouver International Airport from 29 January through 3 March. All applications must be submitted at least five days prior to the aircraft's departure. In addition, flight operators must obtain reservations to take off from or land at Vancouver International Airport, Boundary Bay Airport (CZBB/ZBB) or Abbotsford International Airport (CYXX/YXX). General aviation flights must land at a "gateway airport" -- where aircraft and passenger screening will take place -- before continuing to Vancouver International Airport. There are four gateway airports in Canada and 16 in the United States.