Time for Vancouver to Tear Down Its Viaducts?

[Yume-sama]

I can't imagine why it would cost $700,000 to study this.

[invisibleairwaves]

I guess the CoV really likes those eco-friendly traffic jams and suburban office parks. I still can't believe this is even being considered.

[Stingray2004]

At least the Terms of Reference has not over-looked this important proviso:

The Georgia Viaduct is part of TransLink’s designated Major Road Network(MRN), qualifying it for TransLink operating and capital cost-sharing. This designation would also require TransLink approval to reduce the “people-moving capacity” of the corridor or to remove this corridor from the network. Provincial legislation also requires TransLink approval for any changes that would prohibit truck movement (this applies to all municipal roads, not just the MRN).

[invisibleairwaves]

Originally Posted by Stingray2004

At least the Terms of Reference has not over-looked this important proviso:

I can't see Translink giving the go-ahead here, so this'll probably be the end of it. Either that, or we're in for a long, expensive, and pointless legal battle.

[Yume-sama]

But at least we'll feel better about ourselves as we work towards our goal of making it impossible for the riff-raff to get on to our Island!!

[wrenegade]

So they are using money usually reserved for everyday maintenance of roads and blowing it on a study of a pie-in-the-sky idea that may not even be legal? How about they just fix the fucking roads!?!?

[Yume-sama]

Originally Posted by awvan

So they are using money usually reserved for everyday maintenance of roads and blowing it on a study of a pie-in-the-sky idea that may not even be legal? How about they just fix the fucking roads!?!?

Well... because that might help drivers. Plus, everyone knows sitting at the back of the bus going over huge potholes is a ton of fun.

[racc]

Originally Posted by invisibleairwaves

I can't see Translink giving the go-ahead here, so this'll probably be the end of it. Either that, or we're in for a long, expensive, and pointless legal battle.

Why wouldn't TransLink approve? It would give them more money for maintenance on other roads in the region and it is not a major bus route. Also the Viaducts parallel the Expo line meaning that ridership and thus ridership revenue for TransLink would likely increase. The RFP also calls for considering the realignment of the SkyTrain guideway which could lead to increased speed in this section.

[Metro-One]

Originally Posted by racc

Why wouldn't TransLink approve? It would give them more money for maintenance on other roads in the region and it is not a major bus route. Also the Viaducts parallel the Expo line meaning that ridership and thus ridership revenue for TransLink would likely increase. The RFP also calls for considering the realignment of the SkyTrain guideway which could lead to increased speed in this section.

If they really want to increase speed in that section how about they don't give in to the NIMBY demands from the condos near science world which complained about noise, therefore slowing down skytrain along the straight stretch along East False Creek.

I also think it would be a waste of money to re-build the guideway where it dips under the viaducts during a time when we don't have the funds for transit expansion and station renovation.

This entire thing is one big waste of money. I would rather donate that 600 000 + dollars to the Vancouver School Board or the parks, both cutting back services, if we really want to make Vancouver more livable, instead of taking down useful infrastructure in order to build a couple more over priced condos that the average person can not afford, especially when there is still large areas of land near skytrain stations perfect for densification throughout Vancouver and the Broadway area.

[wrenegade]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

I also think it would be a waste of money to re-build the guideway where it dips under the viaducts during a time when we don't have the funds for transit expansion and station renovation.

Hear Hear!

How about spending that money on the Streetcar, one of the city's only useful pet projects?

[deasine]

Originally Posted by racc

Why wouldn't TransLink approve? It would give them more money for maintenance on other roads in the region and it is not a major bus route. Also the Viaducts parallel the Expo line meaning that ridership and thus ridership revenue for TransLink would likely increase. The RFP also calls for considering the realignment of the SkyTrain guideway which could lead to increased speed in this section.

Increasing speed is not going to happen. The primary reason why the Skytrain goes slow from Main Street to Stadium is not because of the aging track (which has been changed) or the number of switches, it's the sound that affects the residents in the area.

Not to mention, redoing the SkyTrain guideways that do not necessarily increase the capacity or speed (significant) to the system is a waste of money. One can always build on top of the guideways.

[invisibleairwaves]

Originally Posted by racc

Why wouldn't TransLink approve? It would give them more money for maintenance on other roads in the region and it is not a major bus route. Also the Viaducts parallel the Expo line meaning that ridership and thus ridership revenue for TransLink would likely increase. The RFP also calls for considering the realignment of the SkyTrain guideway which could lead to increased speed in this section.

Translink can't afford to redo the guideway, nor can they afford to buy and operate new trains to make up for the added demand. And even if they could, there's plenty of projects that are far more urgent and useful than Vancouver council's silly whims. And the mayors east of Boundary know that tearing down the viaducts won't be popular.


And what on earth is the benefit here? What good will it do to the city?

[racc]

Originally Posted by invisibleairwaves

Translink can't afford to redo the guideway, nor can they afford to buy and operate new trains to make up for the added demand. And even if they could, there's plenty of projects that are far more urgent and useful than Vancouver council's silly whims. And the mayors east of Boundary know that tearing down the viaducts won't be popular.

And what on earth is the benefit here? What good will it do to the city?

This is why they are doing the study so we will all know the answers to these questions and others. Otherwise, we can all just continue to guess about what the impacts, costs and benefits are.

For example, maybe by realigning the SkyTrain guideway, the city can get more money for the land which could pay for the realignment. Who knows until the study is done.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

I can't imagine why it would cost $700,000 to study this.

I can't imagine that we're closing schools yet money is being wasted on this.

If Translink can (hopefully) torpedo this nonsense then its doubly wasteful.

[Porfiry]

Land use changes have direct effects on tax flows. $700k to study this and choose the optimal (lucrative) alternative is an entirely reasonable investment, when the implications are in the millions.

[Alex Mackinnon]

Somehow I would doubt the payback period would be within our lifetimes if we have to change the the skytrain track or make a letdown for the viaducts.

[Porfiry]

That's why the options must be studied.

[mr.x]

$700,000 to remove a road that isn't even yours...great.

The Georgia Viaducts are a vital component of Downtown's transportation infrastructure and it has regional implications.

Don't we have better things to do and spend on? The Bloedel Conservatory could use it. The cycling fascists definitely won't get my vote in the next election (not that I voted for them in the last).

[lezard]

Originally Posted by mr.x

$700,000 to remove a road that isn't even yours...great.

The Georgia Viaducts are a vital component of Downtown's transportation infrastructure and it has regional implications.

Don't we have better things to do and spend on? The Bloedel Conservatory could use it. The cycling fascists definitely won't get my vote in the next election (not that I voted for them in the last).

Yes I'm also sick of those jackbooted two-wheeled dictators at City Hall. Down with cyclists!

[Waders]

The report mentioned this:

..$395,000 as approved in advance of the 2011 Streets Basic Capital Budget...

Does this mean the City is spending next year's money?