Dear Editor:
During the decades following the rejection in 1970 of an eight-lane tunnel crossing under Burrard Inlet, construction of all types has proceeded apace on the North Shore.
Ferry traffic has increased, Squamish has become a dormitory town for Vancouver, Whistler is now one of the leading resort areas in North America and the Sea to Sky Highway is a major connector to Pemberton and the Northwest Coastal Interior. Now we have West Vancouver municipality proposing a further three towers along Marine Drive, which is relatively a minor addition in relation to the (Lions Gate Village) multi-tower/shopping development proposed by DNV at the corner of Marine and Capilano with a corresponding increase in traffic.
The above all funnelling through a three-lane bridge built in 1938, which is not infrequently closed, causing traffic chaos and bringing transit to a halt. North Vancouver has the (SeaBus) ferry; West Vancouver, no alternative.
The priorities of both these councils should be traffic and transit, not more construction. The 1970 options are no longer available and the current alternatives will be extremely expensive and will take several years for completion. Nevertheless, the longer they are left, the worse the situation will become. We have already witnessed complete chaos not long ago when the police closed Lions Gate Bridge for several hours. What better example could we have for the necessity of action now.
Ralph Carder
West Vancouver
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