[Blake]

I'm in favour of replacing the GMT - although it doesn't need to be drastic. At this stage 3 lanes in each direction (with future capacity to increase to 4) would be sufficient. Anything more would lead to a massive further bottleneck at Oak Street bridge.

What I think should be done prior to any improvements to the GMT is to make improvements to Hwy 91 and see how this impacts traffic flow. If 91 added a 3rd lane from Hwy 99 in Surrey all the way to Knight Street/99 in Richmond (and removing that stupid light at 72nd) - this would go along way to encourage more traffic use on the 91 rather than the 99. This could be done much quicker and relatively cheap in comparison to a GMT overhaul. The Alex Fraser is already freeway standard and wouldn't require any changes.

For traffic to/from Surrey and the US border, most still chose the 99 because it of the perception that's it's a quicker, more direct route to YVR and Vancouver. The 91 is still perceived by many to be a slower, bypass type route that's not quite to freeway standard. In reality, the distances are relatively the same - but if 91 had a greater capacity, most would choose to use it - leaving the GMT primarily for ferry and traffic to/from Ladner and Tsawwassen.

The other advantage is that if 91 served as a main route to the City of Vancouver - many commuters would choose the Knight Street Bridge instead of Oak - thus not creating one single bottleneck at the Oak. Also a small bridge connecting Boundary Rd to the 91 via No. 8 road would do wonders...