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The future of the Arbutus corridor has been one of the most contentious issues in Vancouver over the past 20 years.

Some have wanted it set aside for a light-rail line, others for a greenway, and still others for community gardens.

Meanwhile, the former owner, Canadian Pacific Railway, repeatedly asserted its rights and occasionally destroyed vegetable patches created along the fallow line.

Earlier this year, the City of Vancouver bought the nine-kilometre stretch from Canadian Pacific Railway for $55 million, which put an end to the company's claims.

Today, the city announced that the train rails and rail bed will be removed, starting next week, to clear the way for a "green transportation corridor".

"Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. (CP) is responsible for all rail removal along the corridor, with the exception of street crossings, as part of the City's land purchase agreement announced in March 2016," the city said in a statement. "The City is responsible for removing the rails at street crossings."

Stephen Hui

The city has advised the public to stay away from areas where this is taking place. Temporary fences will be installed while the work proceeds. Under the city's rules, this can occur from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.

Canadian Pacific has revealed that it will begin on the north end of the Arbutus corridor and remove approximately one kilometre of track and rails per week.

"Use of the informal recreational pathways along the corridor will be restricted during construction, but available again for use once CP has removed the rails," the city stated. "The public is also asked to obey all construction signs and traffic flaggers at street crossings."

Public consultation for a new 17-hectare greenway is expected to begin in the fall.

"When complete, the Arbutus Greenway will let you walk or cycle continuously from Marpole in South Vancouver to False Creek," the city states on its website. "The greenway will be a great benefit to you and a major tourism attraction."