Metro Vancouver Road Infrastructure Discussion

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

Originally Posted by mcj

Crazy how support for one side in a conflict that's been going on for hundreds of years gets enough support in Vancouver to shut down the Burrard bridge, during the evening commute. Yet protests over local issues (i.e. housing affordability/zoning/etc.) get meager turn outs...

one you can (maybe) get clout on social media for, the other you cant. it is all about what is trendy. and being anti-west is trendy. isreal is considered western vs the others in that region. its why on tiktok there were young people being sympathetic to bin laden.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Over-generalization much? I see a whole lot of millennials and zoomers in the pro-Israel rallies; this millennial personally falls in with the "both —" faction.

[jollyburger]

Chohan Freight lost their BC operating license.

https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2024/02/16/bc-cancels-licence-trucking-company-overpass-strikes/

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Chohan Freight lost their BC operating license.

https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2024/02/16/bc-cancels-licence-trucking-company-overpass-strikes/

took long enough.

i wonder when one of their other companies will start hitting overpasses now.

[logicbomb]

It's theater.

They will just re-open a new numbered company under the uncle/cousins names and transfer the assets over. Drivers and trucks are already "contractors" and will probably be hired by the new company.

We were warned about the dangers of the trucking industry 25+ years ago. You need crazy amounts of enforcement to really ensure things don't go to hell. Trucking companies will continue to race to the bottom to maximize profits and this will not change without auditing drivers, equipment and companies.

[madog222]

Left turn lanes are gone from E 12th at Commercial with a daytime left turn restriction. Presumably to give room for construction of Ace on the SW corner and that they will return.

[whatnext]

A thorough outline of construction closures/pattern changes on the Granville Street Bridge starting this Saturday. I can see the offramp to Seymour backing up well across the bridge. Not just from the Granville St closure but having busses turn left from Seymour at Davie is going to cause congestion:

... The following changes are planned for the north end of the bridge:

Two lanes of traffic will be available on both Seymour and Howe ramps for vehicles driving on and off the bridge during construction.
Sidewalks on both sides of the bridge, including the Howe and Seymour ramps, will remain open as much as possible throughout construction.
Pedestrians will be detoured via sidewalks on the Howe and Seymour ramps.
View a map of traffic detours.
Transit detours

Buses into downtown will be detoured along the Seymour offramp and return to Granville Street via Davie Street.
Buses leaving downtown will be detoured from Granville Street along Davie Street and Howe Street onto the bridge.
View a map of transit detours.
Alerts are shared with riders online via TransLink

https://www.biv.com/news/transportation/...tours-bus-traffic-vancouver-2024-8366497

[jollyburger]

They can probably alleviate the problem by getting rid of on street parking on Seymour Street all the way up to Davie. Not sure if it it requires all day or just adding the evening rush hour as well. And the last few parking spots before Davie probably just remove them until the project finishes.

They could also do some selective removal of parking spots on Howe/Seymour in other spots to give people turning off more space to get out of the main flow of traffic.

I don't think the traffic will be much worse than when buses are rerouted off of Granville.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

They can probably alleviate the problem by getting rid of on street parking on Seymour Street all the way up to Davie. Not sure if it it requires all day or just adding the evening rush hour as well. And the last few parking spots before Davie probably just remove them until the project finishes.

They could also do some selective removal of parking spots on Howe/Seymour in other spots to give people turning off more space to get out of the main flow of traffic.

I don't think the traffic will be much worse than when buses are rerouted off of Granville.

Funnily enough, I went by last night and they had actually put concrete barriers in the left curb lane so that will be impossible! Maybe it was to make the turn easier for the bus but it's going to make for a traffic nightmare.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Funnily enough, I went by last night and they had actually put concrete barriers in the left curb lane so that will be impossible! Maybe it was to make the turn easier for the bus but it's going to make for a traffic nightmare.

Yeah it's probably too tight especially for the articulated buses. I think Davie/Howe will be bad as well especially if they don't open up the 2nd lane on the onramp.

[Tvisforme]

From the Vancouver Sun:

B.C. proposes up to $100,000 fines, 18 months jail time for truckers who hit overpasses
Commercial trucks have hit more than 35 overpasses and bridges since the end of 2021, according to a list compiled by the B.C. Ministry of Transportation.
Gordon Hoekstra - Published March 12, 2024

The B.C. government is introducing stiff new measures to penalize commercial truck drivers who hit public infrastructure such as overpasses and bridges.

Changes to laws introduced Tuesday would allow the courts to impose fines of up to $100,000 and jail time of up to 18 months.

Commercial trucks have hit 35 overpasses and bridges since the end of 2021, according to a list compiled by the B.C. Ministry of Transportation.

In announcing the tougher penalties, the province says “infrastructure” crashes pose a significant safety risk, having caused millions of dollars in highway repairs, as well as lengthy roadway closures and supply chain disruptions that impact all British Columbians.

“Simply put, there’s no excuses for crashes and collisions with our infrastructure,” said Transportation Minister Rob Fleming. “Let me be clear, these crashes must stop.”

Drivers are responsible for knowing the load size, for adhering to their route, and making sure their load is properly secured, said Fleming. He said doing so has never been easier because of technology such as route maps accessible by mobile phones.

The up-to-$100,000 in penalties and jail time does not apply to trucking companies or other personnel.
.
.
.

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/bc-trucks-overpass-strikes-fines-jail

[Migrant_Coconut]

I don't get why the burden is 100% on the drivers - fine the owners, and this would stop overnight.

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

I don't get why the burden is 100% on the drivers - fine the owners, and this would stop overnight.

Why not both?

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

I don't get why the burden is 100% on the drivers - fine the owners, and this would stop overnight.

The driver is ultimately responsible for their driving and the safety of their load. If they run someone over the first person getting charged is the driver and then whatever consequences civil or criminal that can be applied to their employer.

The dangerous goods act has sections related to the corporate entities

Offence by employee or agent
18 In a prosecution for an offence against this Act or the regulations, it is sufficient proof of the offence to establish that it was committed by an employee or agent of the accused, whether or not the employee or agent is identified or has been prosecuted for the offence, unless the accused establishes that the offence was committed without the accused's consent and that the accused took all reasonable measures to prevent its commission.

Officers, directors and agents of corporation guilty of offence by corporation
19 An officer, director or agent of a corporation, who directs, authorizes, assents to, acquiesces in or participates in the commission of an offence, is a party to and guilty of the offence and is liable on conviction to the punishment provided for the offence, whether or not the corporation has been prosecuted or convicted.

https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/00_96458_01

And it's not as if there are zero consequences to trucking firms who continue to have safety issues.

[logicbomb]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

The driver is ultimately responsible for their driving and the safety of their load. If they run someone over the first person getting charged is the driver and then whatever consequences civil or criminal that can be applied to their employer.

The dangerous goods act has sections related to the corporate entities



https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/00_96458_01

And it's not as if there are zero consequences to trucking firms who continue to have safety issues.

The drivers will never get punished though. They are temp workers or international students that will just flee the area after a major screw up. This is what happened after the overpass collision in North Vancouver. Many of these employees are not even making any money as they are using whatever programs they are in to get PR.

I can already see the courts dismissing fines and staying charges due to a lack of evidence as to who was driving the vehicle at the time of impact. The allegations of drivers doing driver swaps or sharing licenses seem to have some validity.

We need legislation to go after the owners 100%

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by logicbomb

The drivers will never get punished though. They are temp workers or international students that will just flee the area after a major screw up. This is what happened after the overpass collision in North Vancouver. Many of these employees are not even making any money as they are using whatever programs they are in to get PR.

I can already see the courts dismissing fines and staying charges due to a lack of evidence as to who was driving the vehicle at the time of impact. The allegations of drivers doing driver swaps or sharing licenses seem to have some validity.

We need legislation to go after the owners 100%

No penalty system is flawless. Even the Delta overpass hit the company claimed the driver was an independent truck operator and not an employee so what do you in that situation?

https://www.trailtimes.ca/news/licence-yanked-for-bc-truck-firm-that-hit-six-overpasses-7318927

[SpongeG]

Surrey Council approves 72 Avenue extension, largest transportation investment in City's history

During the Regular Council Meeting on Monday, Surrey City Council approved the extension of 72 Avenue between 152 Street to Highway 15.

Surrey, BC – During the Regular Council Meeting on Monday, Surrey City Council approved the extension of 72 Avenue between 152 Street to Highway 15. With an estimated construction cost of $138M, this project marks the largest transportation investment delivered by the City to date. The 72 Avenue improvements will see the construction of a four-lane road with two travel lanes in each direction, improved agricultural ditches, and a 1.5m wide shoulder to accommodate farm vehicles and cyclists. This scenario, based on traffic modelling, ensures adequate traffic capacity well into the future while addressing the needs of both transportation users and the farming community.

“The approval of the 72 Avenue extension is the largest municipal transportation investment in the City’s history,” said Mayor Brenda Locke. “This Council recognizes the importance of investing in road upgrades and we have dedicated $300M to upgrading our transportation network over the next four years. As our population continues to increase, ensuring efficient and reliable travel options will not only support current residents but also accommodate the needs of the projected one million people who are expected to live in Surrey by 2042. Upgrading the road network will boost connectivity, alleviate congestion, enhance safety, and enhance the overall quality of life for all residents.”

...

https://www.surrey.ca/news-events/news/s...ension-largest-transportation-investment

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

Surrey Council approves 72 Avenue extension, largest transportation investment in City's history

Good move, but it's bit of a shame they didn't extend it another half kilometre to the east and angle it northward to form a T intersection with the Fraser Highway. It would improve the network benefit and allow for a potential Skytrain station with a connection to an east/west bus route.

[chowhou]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

Good move, but it's bit of a shame they didn't extend it another half kilometre to the east and angle it northward to form a T intersection with the Fraser Highway. It would improve the network benefit and allow for a potential Skytrain station with a connection to an east/west bus route.

Even though I am a straight line enjoyer, it's probably not too much of an ask for a Hillcrest-168th to Newton Exchange bus to make the small jog along HWY15 and Fraser Highway.

[jollyburger]

18 months in jail lets go.

Stanley Park pedestrian bridge struck by delivery truck

https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2024/03/25/stanley-park-pedestrian-bridge-strike/