Dear Editor:
Re: Capilano Water Main Project Hits Delay, Feb. 28 front-page story.
I am so curious to know why the person cited as being inconvenienced by this project, “Victor” the “skier” was chosen by the North Shore News. I’m afraid I don’t have enough space in my heart for the visitors to Grouse Mountain and Capilano Suspension Bridge.
I would hazard to guess these major tourist attractions have had PR staff communicate on behalf of their visitors regarding the inconvenience and impact of this ongoing project on business. Here in the residential neighbourhoods of Grousewoods, Canyon Heights, Forest Hills and parts of Capilano Highlands we have experienced a different kind of pain.
Like an unhealed canker sore the traffic and commuting challenges in, out and around our homes daily is horribly acute. Approximately 213 days of pain, in fact, since this project started and we have a faint window of hope that March 11 will provide a measure of relief. At least until November? And around paving?
The project was supposed to be completed mid-January. (Let’s rebuild Montroyal Bridge to the east, too. Landlocked anyone??) Talk to residents travelling in and out of these neighbourhoods for work, for extracurricular activities, for groceries and school. Talk to the residents that lived on once peaceful streets who see 15 minutes of backed up traffic in front of their houses between 8:15 and 9 a.m. and again 2:30-3:15 p.m. every weekday.
How about the Grade 4 crossing guards at the elementary schools in these newly congested neighbourhoods trying to manage safe crosswalks for their fellow students.
I can’t tell you how many times I saw the contractor’s traffic control people in their own precarious situations. And I feel for them, too, even the surly ones who must not get proper lunch breaks as they eat and talk on their phones while at their posts and completely ignore drivers trying to get their attention for direction.
The impact pre-planning, propositioning and promises by the municipalities to the schools and residents of the affected neighbourhoods was woefully inadequate and by a certain community liaison’s own admission, insufficient to manage the traffic situation in a way that would: a) give affected residents preferential and simple detour routes over park visitors, b) keep peaceful neighbourhoods peaceful and c) be supported by ongoing communications and updates (really, really lacking on this last point).
I honestly don’t know what to say anymore. It’s been a mess. For everyone.
Carrie Smith-Jones
North Vancouver
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