2015 GranFondo Whistler to stop traffic on Saturday

A massive bike ride will cause traffic headaches for drivers between Vancouver and Whistler on Saturday (September 12).

This year's RBC GranFondo Whistler starts just after 6 a.m. at Brockton Point in Vancouver's Stanley Park.

The B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is warning drivers to expect road closures and delays.

"Motorists can expect possible delays of up to three hours between West Vancouver and Whistler from 5:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.," a news release states.

"Cyclists participating in this event will travel over the Lions Gate Bridge, up Taylor Way and Cypress Bowl Road, along the Upper Levels Highway 1 and Highway 99, finishing in Whistler."

Here's the big list of delays and detours from the ministry:

* Stanley Park Causeway and Lions Gate Bridge - closed to northbound traffic from 5:30 a.m. - 8 a.m. During this period, motorists are advised to use the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Bridge as an alternative route. One southbound traffic lane will remain open on the Lions Gate Bridge and causeway.

* Stanley Park Drive, Vancouver - access to Stanley Park Drive, from Georgia Street, closed to traffic from 5:30 a.m. - 8 a.m.

* North Vancouver and West Vancouver - Marine Drive westbound closed between Capilano Road and Taylor Way, with the exception of buses destined for Lions Gate Bridge. For access to Lions Gate Bridge and West Vancouver, vehicle traffic will detour to Lower Capilano Road, Welch Street, Wardance Street and Taylor Way, until approximately 8:30 a.m. Access to the Lions Gate Bridge southbound will remain open via Marine Drive eastbound, from the West Vancouver side.

* West Vancouver, Taylor Way - access to Taylor Way between Marine Drive and Highway 1 will be closed to traffic and pedestrians from 5:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Local traffic to use local residential streets as alternative routes. Residents of Taylor Place will be restricted from accessing Taylor Way until re-opening. Expect some delays in this area.

* West Vancouver, Cypress Bowl Road - approximately 500 cyclists will travel along Cypress Bowl Road with police escorts, up and down the hill. Cypress Bowl road remains open to local traffic. Event cyclists will travel along roadway shoulders, adjacent to traffic. Drivers to exercise caution while travelling in proximity to event cyclists.

* Highway 1, two eastbound lanes closed - the two eastbound lanes of Highway 1 will be closed between Taylor Way and Horseshoe Bay from 5:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. Motorists to use Marine Drive eastbound as the alternate route. Expect some minor delays along Marine Drive.

* Ferry and local Horseshoe Bay traffic - eastbound ferry traffic from the Horseshoe Bay terminal and local traffic exiting from Horseshoe Bay eastbound will be re-routed to the Marine Drive detour route through West Vancouver from 5:30 a.m. - 10 a.m.

* Horseshoe Bay at Highway 99 Junction, heavy truck restrictions - eastbound heavy truck traffic travelling between Horseshoe Bay and Taylor Way, and Highway 99 southbound heavy truck traffic will be re-directed to a temporary storage location at Horseshoe Bay from 5:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. Heavy truck traffic will re-enter Highway 1 when the eastbound highway lanes are re- opened. Heavy truck traffic will be restricted from the Marine Drive detour route, through West Vancouver, during this period.

* Highway 99 southbound at Horseshoe Bay/Marine Drive Exit (Pasco Road) - southbound Highway 99 traffic will be detoured via Horseshoe Bay Drive (Old Highway 99 route) and to the Marine Drive detour in West Vancouver. This detour will be in effect from 5:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

* Highway 1 westbound at Exit #2 (at Horseshoe Bay) - detour for westbound Highway 1 traffic and northbound Highway 99 traffic via Exit #2 to Horseshoe Bay Drive northbound (Old Highway 99 route). Traffic will enter Highway 99 northbound at the Pasco Road Highway 99 access. Detour will be in effect from 6 a.m. - 11 a.m.

* Highway 99 northbound, Horseshoe Bay to Tunnel Point - alternating traffic will be in effect for 2.6 kilometres until approximately 11 a.m. Expect delays in this area.

* Highway 99 at Porteau Cove Provincial Park - single lane alternating traffic will be in effect for 1.3 kilometres until approximately 11 a.m. Expect delays in this area.

* Highway 99 at Furry Creek - local Furry Creek traffic only will re-route via internal roads to access Highway 99 northbound and southbound. Local Furry Creek traffic to obey signs and traffic control personnel. Expect delays in this area.

* Highway 99 at Britannia Beach - single lane alternating traffic will be in effect for one kilometre with no northbound right turn permitted at Main Street (also known as Copper Drive) until approximately 12 noon. Expect delays in this area.

* Highway 99, Murrin Lake Park to Squamish - traffic signals along this section of Highway 99 will be flashing with traffic control personnel on site.

* Highway 99, Valley Drive to Depot Road, Squamish - signals will be flashing and traffic movements both to and from the east side only of Highway 99 will be restricted and/or closed from 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. No right turns northbound from the highway permitted, and no left turns southbound from the highway permitted until after 10:30 a.m. Affected Highway 99 intersections for closures and restrictions are: Valley Drive, Scott Crescent, Mamquam Road, Garibaldi Way, Depot Road and Alice Lake --- all closed between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

* Highway 99, Squamish area - expect intermittent delays 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.; full closure from east side of Highway 99 only from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; expect intermittent delays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

* Highway 99 from Alice Lake Road to Function Junction (6 kilometres south of Whistler) - expect counterflow traffic adjacent to cyclists through this area. Cyclists will occupy the northbound slow lane, with motorists travelling northbound in the designated center lane. One lane northbound and one lane southbound open for motorists. Counterflow traffic in effect until approximately 4 p.m.

* Highway 99 Function Junction to Village Gate Boulevard, Whistler - signals will be flashing and traffic will be stopped intermittently at the entrances and exits to key Whistler destinations. Cyclists will occupy the northbound slow lane, with motorists travelling northbound in the designated center lane. Expect major delays entering and exiting the east side of Highway 99 in Whistler.

* Atla Lake Road - Alta Lake Road will be available as an alternate traffic route from Highway 99 in Whistler.

* Whistler - expect delays and traffic pattern changes at various Highway 99 intersections:

* Blackcomb Way West - closed in both directions;

* Village Gate Boulevard - closed to northbound and southbound traffic from Highway 99;

* Lorimer Road and Whistler Way - both roads open as alternate routes to Village Gate;

* Northlands Boulevard at Village Gate - traffic signal will be flashing;

* Traffic control personnel on site until approximately 4:30 p.m.