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.

Vancouver Parking Lot

Vancouver - a place I've called home for most of my life. It has changed significantly in my life and I wouldn't say for the better. The traffic has gotten so bad, it made the top of the TomTom list of worst traffic in North America, tied with Los Angeles. The citizens decided that Vancouver was not going to have a highway through to the centre of the city in the 1970's. Instead, vehicles across the city sit at traffic lights wasting gas and polluting the air. Trucks still need to deliver product. Cars still need to drive into and out of the city. Travel within the city can take up to twice as long as it should, but that doesn't matter to those who feel everyone should walk, use transit or a bike. I like my vehicle and find it helps with getting groceries, travel, camping, visiting friends and family, doing things that are not on transit lines and, besides, I have a bad back and can't ride a bike and have trouble with getting on and off a bus. Forcing everyone to use these forms of transportation is discriminatory.

With the advent of the new Port Mann bridge, I can only see a serious gridlock of traffic in Vancouver. Talking about Port Mann bridge, I wonder why they didn't use the old bridge for trucks only. Actually, a truck only lane all the way from Langley to Vancouver would have been smart. If money and economics are the name of the game, time=money and faster transportation of goods makes good economic sense for the province. A friend of mine, who used to work for the Washington DOT and designed roads and highways, often laughed at Vancouver roads. Anyone driving in from Seattle along the 99 gets dumped into messy traffic as it turns into Oak Street. All-of-a-sudden, you're driving on a 6 lane road past residential homes and numerous lights and side-roads. Following Granville is no better. The signage is pitiful, if nonexistent. I've often seen it as unwelcoming and confusing, particularly to visitors. Watching the development of Vancouver's roads and highways is like watching a slow moving traffic accident happen.

The City of Vancouver is busy building a greenway and bike lanes on Comox Street with a budget of $5.46 Million. While I hear the machinery outside, I read about the hundreds of people turned away at shelters during the below-freezing weather. I see Gregor Robertson, the mayor, has his priorities in place. Biking before people. Sorta like his focus on turning front lawns into wheat fields instead of addressing the potential for a Stanley Cup riot which ended up costing $5 million. While some take so much concern over whether they are eating organic or not, others try to find a place to sleep and something to eat, just to survive. The socio-economic positions get further and further apart. The most livable city? Not for everyone.