Dear Editor:
I read your article on the DNV council process regarding the condo in Edgemont Village (Small Condo Triggers Big Debate at DNV Council, Oct. 28 news story). Given the prices and size, it is probably selling to seniors who seldom travel at peak hours, so that condo is not a likely source of further congestion. Unlike the major developments underway or proposed near the two North Shore bridges.
Roads are not a solution but the North Shore does have an access corridor that would materially help the traffic situation – it is the rail right of way. It would take the co-operation of the three North Shore municipalities to go to the railroad companies and propose a public-private rapid transit line along the existing right of way with the rapid transit being over or under existing rail lines; easy negotiation? Probably not, but if the Coal Harbour area is an indication, a great deal can be achieved.
Instead of single driver cars requiring 80 to 100 feet of roadway per driver the space could go down to two or three feet; that densification far exceeds any reasonably foreseeable housing densification.
I am semi-retired. I sometimes go downtown for meetings and most of the time my wife drops me off at the SeaBus and I get downtown at the time I need to get there without worrying about a traffic delay or where to park (I love the Compass pass) and on my return, the bus service is co-ordinated with the ferries so I hop a bus home. The only solution for the North Shore congestion and further densification is rapid transit.
They need to get on with a three-way co-ordination/co-operation and access to the rail lines right of ways, probably with some parking pods similar to Surrey.
Bob Matthews
North Vancouver
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