Pacific Gateway Phase II
Ignore Vaughn Palmer's negative spin on the subject matter.
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Normally I'm a staunch supporter of government fiscal responsibility, but with Canadian 10 year notes going for 3.25% right now and the economic recovery stagnating its almost irresponsible not to push these infrastructure projects forward.
I dont know about Gordo's claims about the availability of skilled labour, but I still think the scenario will not get much more advantageous for infrastructure projects than it is right now. |
Go GORDO Go!
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Great... another dilemma... if the debt is that high I worry that it'll start jacking our taxes up to the point that my parents and I can't live where they are right now.
On the other hand, the transport systems here and elsewhere do need serious upgrades. Bleh... I think the taxes will go up anyway. Ouch. >< |
Firstly, BC has a triple-A credit rating with Moody's, S&P, and DBRS. The only other Canadian jurisdictions in that league are Alberta and the Government of Canada. Our taxpayer supported debt to GDP ratio is the lowest in the country (after Alberta).
Secondly, with the massive Horn River/Montney natural gas fields coming on stream post-2012, the BC treasury should see a huge increase in royalty revenue. In that context, I have no problem with ramping up capital spending on highway/transit. Infrastructure is an asset, an economic stimulator, and will enhance future economic growth. I recall Campbell's UBCM speech whereby he hinted at future transportation investments without much specifics. According to Palmer: Quote:
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Since we are decades behind in having high-standard intra/inter-provincial highways/expressways in BC, unlike other Canadian/North American jurisdictions, I say bring it on. |
I'd much rather be paying for infrastructure upgrades across the province than government subsidized daycare or other pie-in-the-sky social programs. Gordo might as well push this through, he is on borrowed time now. 9% approval rating? Yikes.
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Since the Cariboo Connector will apparently also be part of Pacific Gateway II, here are a couple of pics of the Cariboo Connector both completed and u/c as a taste of what's going on up there right now:
New Red Rock commercial vehicle inspection station in median as part of twinning, which opened on Friday: http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/8...0101017150.jpg Source: BC MoT Twinning construction south of Red Rock on September 11, 2010: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/...d4209346e2.jpg Source: Flickr/Huizen |
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In case people have forgotten the other thread:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=172856 |
So, will the new Premier champion the Pacific Gateway Phase II?
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Not sure where to put this...
https://www.agassizharrisonobserver....rd-mayor-says/ Quote:
Expand on this list of three: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/t...cture/projects (Yes the projects page is titled "Highway Infrastructure Projects".) Categorize projects' priority. Link to Cost-Benefit studies and supporting documents, etc. as done with those three. Fill the void created by the last administration where the province was with the Gateway (balance it so it's not just highways) before versus seeming to make decisions surprising people as happened with the George Massey Tunnel. A vision/leadership isn't lurching from project to project. It's also less susceptible to corruption/political interference/cronyism/etc. Nothing against the previous BC Liberal government post Gordon Campbell, but they were good at not spending that much money outside BC Hydro and lowering taxes, even borrowinng from Crown Corp's to lower taxes. |
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