Georgia Viaduct & The Tsunami

There has been much talk about the removal of the Georgia Viaduct in Vancouver. Historically the area of Vancouver between where False Creek ends and the Burrard Inlet were tidal flats. If a severe earthquake happens in the waters of Georgia Straight and a Tsunami happens, it could potentially  flow up False Creek across to the Burrard Inlet thereby cutting off the downtown core of Vancouver from the rest of the Lower Mainland. By removing the Georgia Viaduct and not looking to upgrade the structure as earthquake proof is basically ensuring the downtown core becomes cut-off from the surrounding area if the Burrard, Granville and Cambie Street bridges are destroyed or damaged, if that could happen. We so quickly forget the bridge damage of the 1989 earthquake in San Francisco. Just watch the Tsunami affect on this village in Kamaishi, Japan.

Ok, now imagine that same force coming down False Creek in Vancouver and flowing into the China town area. Many people forget that a good portion of what we see today as land now was actually filled in areas of False Creek. It is also the lowest area of the downtown area connecting the rest of Vancouver. So, when you think about it this way, let's just remove the only possible means of leaving the downtown core after an earthquake and Tsunami that destroyed or damaged the other bridges. I'd say it makes logical sense. In this 1893 map transposed over a Google map, the area of False Creek was much larger and extended far past the current Science Word in the direction of Terminal Ave., all the way to Clark. I often wonder where the logic is to the management of Vancouver although I have long realized common sense is secondary to political motivations. The viaduct is a vital means to avoid slower traffic and street lights. It was, unfortunately, the only part of a city highway that should have been built.