Quote:
Originally Posted by Alex Mackinnon
I can't imagine that it would be cheaper to do both bridges rather than a new 6 lane Patullo and a tunnel connecting through to Hwy 1. The effect would be very similar in removing cars from New West, but all the accesses would line up with existing infrastructure.
More than half of the tunnel could be cut and cover with minimal disruption. Just put a trench on the edge of Queen's Park and up from the Gaglardi interchange. EPB style TBM the rest.
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It wouldn't be cheaper but build it one before the other.
Sapperton Bar would take priority of course, then down the line Tree Island.
The tunnel will be effective at removing Canada Way, Kingsway/12 and 10th AVE traffic but what about Front st., Columbia. Not to mention the ecological impact trenching would have on Robert Burnaby Park.
Sapperton Bar and Tree Island combine will cover numerous bases.
1) Satisfy New West by limiting throughtraffic and trucks off local roads as these two bridges would be on the city borders in industrial parts. Improving livability in both Mainland New West and Queensborough.
2) Sapperton Bar brings with it a new rail bridge that would easily link up with existing BNSF Grandview cut line. This rail crossing would spur even more commuter rail links (WCE type line can use this crossing and use either Southern BCR or CNR tracks into Chilliwack, Abbotsford, Langley. Plus this gives Translink more options not having to be dependent on CPR) and of course in addition to the rail track changes brewing in south surrey/white rock can result in an even faster commuter rail link to Seattle and Portland.
3) Tree Island bridge as mentioned before can stand in for the Boundary/NO 8 road crossing that people bring up time to time when discussing Oak/Knight bridge replacements. Such a Boundary/No. 8 Road bridge would result in East Luluisland farm land lost.
And at the end of all this depending on the condition of the existing Patullo (or NW Rail bridge) make it exclusively for bikes and pedestrians if cost effective
The Tree Island and Sapperton Bar crossings would be an effective one-two punch that really covers all the bases. It would satisfy residents of East Burnaby and New West, improving the livability of numerous neighbourhoods in the two cities. It would improve the transportation of goods in the region (both trucks and rail). It would improve public transportation via rail improvements (commuter rail for the valley and US) and buses (the Queenborough bridge traffic slows buses using the bridge connecting to 22nd st. for residents and employees of Richmond and Queensborough, less surface road traffic in East Burnaby and New West = faster buses).
While I do think the GMT needs to be replaced, I don't think it should be done via a 10 lane super bridge, especially since the Oak and Knight bridges won't be able to swallow it. It would be better for the province to pursue a smaller replacement bridge in addition to the above mentioned Tree Island and Sapperton Bar bridges. Can be done in the following order (based on priorities and overall benefits)
1) Sapperton Bar
2) GMT
3) Tree Island
All three crossings six lanes + pedestrians and bikes with Sapperton Bar bridge having a rail deck.
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