Time for Vancouver to Tear Down Its Viaducts?

[logan5]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Quite easily actually, you build the Malcom connector which would then enhance the viaducts connectivity to the feeding road network on their eastern end. (which was the citys long term plan before this farce started)

Their western end from what I have seen is generally fine (more so before the bike lane was added, but that is another topic. PS, not against having the bike lane itself, but it could have been better designed) Never once had a traffic flow problem east on Georgia myself, the amount of lanes feeding the viaduct matches perfectly. There would be a few minor tweeks needed, but nothing to large.

You then traffic calm East Hastings at the same time. Reduce lanes, make it more pedestrian friendly, etc... And then, if I had it my way, Water Street is closed to all traffic except delivery, emergency, and transit vehicles.

The Malkin Connector is suppose to provide traffic calming for Prior Street.

The afternoon rush is busier than the morning rush. How will east bound Hastings Street traffic be diverted over to the Georgia Viaduct. Traffic calming should be done in both directions should it not.

Not sure how you figure the surface street match the capacity of the viaducts.

[Metro-One]

Well, the hope would be that the majority of east west traffic that originates east / south would be more attracted to that route, and the calmed Hastings street would be more open for North Shore traffic.

Also, other tweeks could be made to the road network to help off set this problem.

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

i am curious to know what will happen with the Roegers Arena Gate 8 entrance that has been attached to the viaduct, a lot. http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=7022170&postcount=874

that would just all be torn down to i guess.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Now, before the topic changes I really just want to see some people on here admit that the decision for full tear down was already made years ago before any of the "studies," public meetings, contests, etc... took place

Who are you looking for to admit what? We know you hate Meggs and Vision. This type of decision falls under a pre-announcement of "we are doing this unless there is massive outcry and riots in the streets".

Basically like any development application, bike lane, etc.

City Hall can't both bow to NIMBYs and steamroll opposition... sometimes you are in favour, sometimes you aren't.

At least the provincial government could learn from their example of "you elected us, we are going to act".

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

At least the provincial government could learn from their example of "you elected us, we are going to act".

I wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment. Like it or not, everyone knows where Vision stands on this issue and they are prepared to back up their words with action.

[IanS]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

Like it or not, everyone knows where Vision stands on this issue and they are prepared to back up their words with action.

Fair comment. Much as I disagree with the decision to remove the viaducts, Vision was fairly elected and no one voting for them could have been under any illusion but that the decision to remove the viaducts had already been made.

As for the Liberals, well, it's not like they promised a referendum on additional taxes for transit funding or anything in the run up to the election, right?

[s211]

After all the Vision posturing and BS public process, does the Province still not have the final say about the viaducts, given the viaducts role in the regional road network? I seem to recall that being a determining factor in the past.

[logan5]

Some facts just in case some people are not aware.... The viaducts are designed to handle up to 1800 vehicles per lane per hour. At their busiest they handle 750 vehicles per lane per hour. The surface streets cannot come even close to utilizing their capacity.

What is the logic behind wanting to keep them? They are pointless.

[a very long weekend]

i'm most excited about the main/prior fix. hopefully they go with a continuation of built elements on main street rather than a massive park.

[Bcasey25raptor]

As a NEFC resident who doesn't drive, tear them the hell down. The viaducts have turned the area into a dead zone.

Expand downtown eastward until it meets up with main street near prior.

It's absolutely ridiculous how dead that area is and if the viaducts coming down speeds up the gentrification process, than do it.

PS: I honestly don't give a hoot about divers, if they don't live downtown, their loss. We should be doing what Calgary does and implement massive rises in parking rates downtown to discourage driving into the core.

[csbvan]

Originally Posted by Bcasey25raptor

As a NEFC resident who doesn't drive, tear them the hell down. The viaducts have turned the area into a dead zone.

Expand downtown eastward until it meets up with main street near prior.

It's absolutely ridiculous how dead that area is and if the viaducts coming down speeds up the gentrification process, than do it.

PS: I honestly don't give a hoot about divers, if they don't live downtown, their loss. We should be doing what Calgary does and implement massive rises in parking rates downtown to discourage driving into the core.

Yeah the area around Quebec and the viaducts is certainly horrendous urbanity. Its depressing and kills any connection between Southeast False Creek and Chinatown. I walk by it every day that I walk to work and it is as gloomy as it gets in this city.

[Pinion]

Originally Posted by Bcasey25raptor

PS: I honestly don't give a hoot about divers, if they don't live downtown, their loss. We should be doing what Calgary does and implement massive rises in parking rates downtown to discourage driving into the core.

We already have higher parking rates than Calgary.

And frankly drivers don't give a hoot about your desires either. We'll vote with our money and see who wins.

[Vin]

Originally Posted by csbvan

Yeah the area around Quebec and the viaducts is certainly horrendous urbanity. Its depressing and kills any connection between Southeast False Creek and Chinatown. I walk by it every day that I walk to work and it is as gloomy as it gets in this city.

Only reason why that area is so gloomy is because the City neglects it. The grassy slopes are never landscaped properly and sidewalks left to age. Worse still, I think the City is also not cleaning up the area on purpose, as it is often littered and reek of urine. Many developments around the viaducts are probably put on hold with the pending result not known, and that also contributes to why that area is gloomy abd "horrendous".

With the viaducts gone, a really busy Pacific Boulevard will, by no means, improve the connectivity of Southeast False Creek and Chinatown. Cyclists will also not be able to enjoy the gentle climb of the viaducts to the downtown area.

[Porfiry]

Originally Posted by Pinion

We already have higher parking rates than Calgary.

I'm pretty confident that is incorrect.

[csbvan]

Originally Posted by Pinion

We already have higher parking rates than Calgary.

And frankly drivers don't give a hoot about your desires either. We'll vote with our money and see who wins.

No we don't, unless there has been a huge jump here in the last year:

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/04/03/calgary-parking-rates_n_5084866.html

Edit: Well I guess I wasn't fast enough on that one

[Bcasey25raptor]

Originally Posted by Pinion

We already have higher parking rates than Calgary.

And frankly drivers don't give a hoot about your desires either. We'll vote with our money and see who wins.

No, we don't.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/On...owntown+parking+rates/9690733/story.html

[Bcasey25raptor]

Originally Posted by Pinion

We already have higher parking rates than Calgary.

And frankly drivers don't give a hoot about your desires either. We'll vote with our money and see who wins.

Democracy trumps money, and we Voted Vision back in.

[Pinion]

OK OK I just couldn't imagine Calgary being higher since Vancouver's parking rates are the highest I've ever seen. My apologies.

Originally Posted by Bcasey25raptor

Democracy trumps money

lol

[Bcasey25raptor]

I walk by the viaducts (actually on) almost every day since I work downtown and I've almost never seen it hugely busy.

I cannot see how tearing the viaducts down and putting a new ground level street will honestly lead to traffic hell.

Vancouver is already traffic hell since we decided not to build a freeway. Whether this viaduct stays or goes, that won't change.

I live in this area and I have just as much of a right to campaign on what I want to see. The area has become a mess due to inaction on the part of development. I've seen the proposals of what it will look like without the viaducts and honestly, as a resident of this area I MUCH prefer it.

My voice and concerns were met when I cast my ballot in November of last year.

[WBC]

Originally Posted by Bcasey25raptor

Democracy trumps money, and we Voted Vision back in.

ahahahahahahahahahahaha...

Nothing personal but I get a kick out of 20-year olds views of the world...Democracy trumps money...That's a good one...

BTW, The only reason why those viaduacts were never completed and highway was not built was for a lack of money. It is not because people protested against highways like Vancouver urban legend says. And today the only reason they will be torn down is because of money, or the money to be made by developers.

In reality though that park that is supposed to be there will be much smaller than on the nice drawing that the city provided and the towers will be much taller than shown as the city will find out that replacement of viduacts will cost much more then they predicted. But then again - who cares.

And no there will be no carmageddon. The viaducts will be replaced by the surface road with a bunch of traffic lights that will slow things down so it will add a few minutes to people going east. The traffic is already a nightmare as other posters said - what's a few traffic lights going to do to it?