Time for Vancouver to Tear Down Its Viaducts?

[BCPhil]

Originally Posted by jhausner

I don't travel downtown or from downtown that often but I'm curious as has been mentioned many "downtowners" head to HWY1 via Prior (viaduct). I tend to from downtown go down Nelson and across the Cambie then along 12th to get to HWY1.

Is viaduct + Prior faster in general? I just always felt the few times I used that route it seemed slower than ducking over the Cambie Bridge then going along 12th/Grandview.

So regionally speaking, I think it will turn out fine. If you work downtown I still find it a bit crazy that you don't take SkyTrain and drive but I'm sure there are perfectly valid reasons why that is so all the power to you.

Oh my god. You actually take Cambie to 12th? I hope it is in the middle of the night.

That is absolutely the worst way to go. 12th from Oak street to Highway 1 is probably the slowest road in all of Vancouver, and Cambie between the bridge and King Eddy is probably the 2nd slowest. It is absolutely horrible. Easily 15 minutes longer than involving the viaducts.

Taking the Viaducts to Main and turning left onto Terminal and taking 1st all the way is better than spending any time on 12th at rush hour. Viaducts -> Prior -> Clark -> 1st is a pretty good route too during rush hour while the parking restrictions are in on Prior (don't go that way just after 6pm though).

If you are taking the Cambie bridge heading to TCH, then take W. 2nd/Great Northern to Clark (from there take either 1st or 12th). So. Much. Better.

And there are a lot of valid reasons why people would drive instead of take Skytrain. Perhaps they don't live close enough to a station, so taking transit could easily take double the time as driving in rush hour. Some people also combine their commute with chores, like dropping off/picking up kids, so a car is useful. Some people also really don't like crowds. I love taking Skytrain, do it whenever I can, but there are times when even I get sick to my stomach at dealing with the crowds. I can't imagine what it is like for people who are even a tiny bit claustrophobic.