Dear Editor,
My husband and I moved to Vancouver in 1969 and bought our first house (in Lynn Valley) in 1970.
At that time there were two local newspapers, and headlines in BOTH read “3rd Crossing is a MUST”!
Over the years there have been several proposed projects, the most recent one being in the mid-1980s. This suggested a four-lane tunnel that would initially serve with alternating lanes in both directions, like the Lions Gate Bridge is at present.
Once the tunnel was complete and in operation, a new bridge would be built, also four lanes.
At that time, the bridge would go in one direction, and the tunnel in the other direction. This is a solution that has been used in London, England, with great success for many years.
There is of course a toll, but the reduced congestion makes it worthwhile for all traffic.
No solution is without cost - but nothing ever gets cheaper! The North Shore is the only access to Whistler and the Sunshine Coast; also the only alternative to the Tsawwassen ferries to Vancouver Island. This route also has it’s problems with the delays in renewal of the Massey Tunnel.
Our politicians seem to suffer from the NIMTO syndrome - Not In My Term Of Office! This is nothing new.
When I retired from working in the Development industry, Surrey had been named the fastest-growing municipality in BC - possibly in all of Canada. Everyone was busy building houses, townhouses and apartments.
But was anything done about more schools, more hospitals, better transportation? And to take a slight detour - in 1987, as Manager of a local Real Estate office, I published a monthly newsletter.
The Fall issue of that newsletter talks about a joint project with Britco and Atco, to provide 600 square feet modular units for seniors and for the homeless.
And now we have come full-circle on that, only 36 years later! What has to happen to GET THINGS DONE?!
Sadly, I have little hope of seeing anything done in my lifetime.
Gillian Shipman
North Vancouver
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