Metro Vancouver Road Infrastructure Discussion

[whatnext]

The latest piece of green flotsam to float out of Vision Vancouver, metered loading zones:

http://www.news1130.com/news/local/artic...ooking-at-parking-fees-for-loading-zones

If delivery companies already pay for a permit, this is just gouging. Of course, I'm sure the now city-funded bike cargo service would be exempt.

[officedweller]

There's been a metered loading zone outside my building at 950 Cambie (outside the Nygard store) for a while now - maybe since last year?) I was pretty surprised when they installed the meter.

[whiteshadow]

Looks like Surrey is finally proceeding with the 152nd St railway overpass... although still includes traffic lights:

Tenders are invited for the 152nd Railway Overpass Project which involves bridge,
embankment, utility, and roadwork construction along 152nd Street from 54A Avenue South to
the Serpentine River Bridge. The following are approximate work items to be completed;

Bridge Works
- 40 - 914 mm Ø steel piles, varying from 25 - 45 metres in length
- Construction of concrete pile caps, columns, and column caps at two abutments and three
piers for a 23 metre wide, 4 span bridge structure
- 72 - Type 4, 36 metre long single cell box girders
- Concrete overlay (asphalt surface), and sidewalks
- Supply and installation of parapet, railings and associated works

Embankment and Roadworks
- Supply and installation of 29,000 m3 of EPS geofoam blocks and associated works
- Construction of 700 l.m. of embankment wall footings, drainage and associated works
- Construction of 700 l.m. of precast concrete and cast in place wall sections
- Construction of a 330 metre long x 22 metre wide load distribution slab
- Construction of a 12 metre approach and sleeper slabs and associated works
- Supply and installation of 350 l.m. of roadway and associated works
- Supply and installation of 670 l.m. of precast concrete /cast in place sidewalk / parapet
- Supply and installation of railings and associated works

Electrical Works
- Supply and installation of a traffic signal at Link Road and 152nd Street
- Supply and installation of roadway lighting along Link Road
- Supply and installation of roadway lighting on 152nd Street
- Modifications to the traffic signal at Link Road and Colebrook Road
- Removal of all wood poles and mast arms (temporary detour lighting)

from bcbid.gov.bc.ca

[Canadian Mind]

Bad news boys, the 30kph motion just passed with only one opposed. One good thing that may come from it is mid-block crosswalks along the longer blocks.

[officedweller]

Is that just for Hastings?
Most people will just avoid that route.

[Canadian Mind]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Is that just for Hastings?
Most people will just avoid that route.

Yes.

Not if city council has their way and reduces the viaduct capacity to 50% in 5-10 years, and to 0% in 10-15...

[officedweller]

I was actually thinking Cordova and Water Streets

[go_leafs_go02]

The BC-MOT has finally turned on the new Border Crossing signs. Looks pretty snazzy to me.

As well, they got a new website. Quite a nice update over the old one. http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/ATIS/atis-new.html

Photo of the signs are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tranbc/5975570379/in/set-72157627162163313

Kinda surprised they didn't put any coming out of Chilliwack for the Abbotsford Crossing.

[GeeCee]

I wish they would show the NEXUS lane wait times so you can make a decision before entering the lanes.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by GeeCee

I wish they would show the NEXUS lane wait times so you can make a decision before entering the lanes.

Are the NEXUS wait times ever longer than the regular lanes?

[GeeCee]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

Are the NEXUS wait times ever longer than the regular lanes?

Yes. I've experienced it myself, especially now that enhanced drivers license holders are permitted in the NEXUS lane.

Here's a CBC article about the problem: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/07/22/bc-nexus-long-lineups.html

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by GeeCee

Yes. I've experienced it myself, especially now that enhanced drivers license holders are permitted in the NEXUS lane.

Really? You mean I don't have to go through all the NEXUS rigamarole (prequalifications and fees) to use the NEXUS lane if I and all my passengers have BC enhanced drivers licenses?

[Millennium2002]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

Really? You mean I don't have to go through all the NEXUS rigamarole (prequalifications and fees) to use the NEXUS lane if I and all my passengers have BC enhanced drivers licenses?

Well... the BC Enhanced Driver's License isn't that much easier to get... you still have to go through an interview and a questionnaire and pay an additional fee. The only difference is that you meet friendly ICBC representatives instead of the more tough-behaving US CBP officers.

[DKaz]

Originally Posted by GeeCee

Yes. I've experienced it myself, especially now that enhanced drivers license holders are permitted in the NEXUS lane.

Here's a CBC article about the problem: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/07/22/bc-nexus-long-lineups.html

Um, I never heard of that.

[GeeCee]

Originally Posted by DKaz

Um, I never heard of that.

Okay, looks like I'm mistaken. I thought that the Ready Lane and the NEXUS Lane were the same thing, especially given that I had never seen the Ready Lane when I cross.. but turns out that it's only open from 8AM to 1PM.

http://www.news1130.com/news/local/artic...f-you-go-to-the-us-with-enhanced-licence

http://www.thenorthernlight.com/news/art...ady_lane__aims_to_expedite_border_travel

http://canada.usembassy.gov/news-events/.../15-april-2011-ready-lane-at-blaine.html

In any case, the NEXUS lane is still sometimes slower than the usual lanes. And as someone who has both a EDL and a NEXUS card, I'd say that the EDL is much easier to get. It takes less time, less money, and requires a less extensive background check.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by GeeCee

Okay, looks like I'm mistaken. I thought that the Ready Lane and the NEXUS Lane were the same thing, especially given that I had never seen the Ready Lane when I cross.. but turns out that it's only open from 8AM to 1PM.

Good stuff, thanks for the info and the links!

[Stingray2004]

Hmmmmmm.... after watchin' this movie trailer.... I'm kinda sure that some folk will avoid the Lions Gate Bridge for a while.

• Video Link

[go_leafs_go02]

Is there any way that the Ministry can be more prepared to handle truck accidents? There have been quite a few the last few weeks, and one truck can screw up everything for thousands of people. Look at the Massey Tunnel today. Truck loses its load at 3 PM, and even now, 6 hours later, they're just starting to remove it. Add an accident on at the Alex Fraser Bridge, and there was literally 1-2 hours wait to get out of Richmond into Delta.

Here's a news 1130 article: http://www.news1130.com/news/local/artic...-in-massey-tunnel-causes-hours-of-delays

Same for in Langley. Truck jack-knifes on Highway 1 (in the median) last week, and all of a sudden, you have rubber neckers one way so it takes 45 min to 60 min extra to get through the non-affected direction, and the other way with the lane closure (for hours) takes even longer having to merge down to one lane. The collision was EAST of 264 Street, and the backup reached 200 Street (that's 17 km), and the other way (with the closure) was back from McCallum (that's easily 10+ km)

Just fine it odd how they wait around to clean things up - maybe they should look into changing their procedure to speed things up. Either push it off to the side, or hook it up as soon as possible and get traffic moving again.

No way is it right that one stupid vehicle should screw things up so badly for so many people. Sure, a minor inconvenience for an hour - but really, to have stuff like this seem to happen so often lately - it's really getting to be a major hassle.

[Mousey]

Originally Posted by go_leafs_go02

Is there any way that the Ministry can be more prepared to handle truck accidents? There have been quite a few the last few weeks, and one truck can screw up everything for thousands of people. Look at the Massey Tunnel today. Truck loses its load at 3 PM, and even now, 6 hours later, they're just starting to remove it. Add an accident on at the Alex Fraser Bridge, and there was literally 1-2 hours wait to get out of Richmond into Delta.

Here's a news 1130 article: http://www.news1130.com/news/local/artic...-in-massey-tunnel-causes-hours-of-delays

Same for in Langley. Truck jack-knifes on Highway 1 (in the median) last week, and all of a sudden, you have rubber neckers one way so it takes 45 min to 60 min extra to get through the non-affected direction, and the other way with the lane closure (for hours) takes even longer having to merge down to one lane. The collision was EAST of 264 Street, and the backup reached 200 Street (that's 17 km), and the other way (with the closure) was back from McCallum (that's easily 10+ km)

Just fine it odd how they wait around to clean things up - maybe they should look into changing their procedure to speed things up. Either push it off to the side, or hook it up as soon as possible and get traffic moving again.

No way is it right that one stupid vehicle should screw things up so badly for so many people. Sure, a minor inconvenience for an hour - but really, to have stuff like this seem to happen so often lately - it's really getting to be a major hassle.

It's really painful when one of these directly affects you. Trying to get home from UBC today was all kinds of fun. The Langley one didn't really affect me that day, which was great, but I do remember Hwy 10 being a parking lot EB between KGB-132nd. Since I knew the area, I zipped down 132nd to 56th and got back to Hwy 10 right by KGB, saved easily 5 minutes right there. Today was bad though, but it was a series of events not just the Tunnel. Earlier 3 car pile-up on the AFB, than the idiot trucker in the tunnel, followed by another accident on the AFB, and an accident on the SB Queensborough. Than if you can believe it an accident at Westminster @ 6 Rd., the East West Connector EB at No. 7 Rd, AND NB Hwy 99 @ Hwy 17... It caused insane delays.
AM730 kept saying:
99 - Backed from the Tunnel, through Richmond, over the OSB, and down Oak to almost 49th at one point.
91 - Backed from the AFB to the 99
91a - Backed over the Queensborough. Columbia backed to Royal, 20th backed to 10th, Marine backed to Byrne
Pattulo - McBride backed to 10th, 10th backed to 20th, Kingsway backed to Edmonds, Edmonds backed from 16th, Canada Way backed from Edmonds. Royal backed the entire length.
The only humor I found in it, was the PMB was the best alternate option, for what I believe was the first time EVER. I didn't even want to try and make it home, I went to Metrotown for a while until I knew traffic would die down. Even getting from Joyce to Sussex along Kingsway took 15 minutes...
Pretty crazy!

[go_leafs_go02]

On the plus side - for me, Highway 10 in Surrey heading eastbound in the PM was pretty quiet. Never knew that much traffic on there was coming from through Richmond. it was significant. I saved probably 10 minutes or so on my total commute today. All of it from Highway 10 being quiet.