Dear Editor:
The massive redevelopment of several large lots along the waterfront at Harbourside is now underway. I don't have to be a planner or engineer to see what will happen. First, there will be lines of dump trucks to remove soil and debris. How will the trucks access the site and how will they leave it? By using Fell Avenue and the small, steep overpass that crosses the railway tracks.
Imagine those loaded trucks struggling up the overpass, and then rumbling down to the traffic light on West First Street. If their brakes fail (as they have been known to do) the consequences there could be horrific. This will be a daily hazard for all vehicles using that intersection.
Hundreds of townhouses, apartments and small businesses are to be built there in a few years. It's fashionable to think that all those folks will walk, cycle or use transit to get to work and go shopping. Some will; most will use cars. This will put enormous stress on the overpass at Fell and First, especially during rush hour.
I could accept much of this if the residential units were being built to accommodate, for example, the workers who will be employed at nearby Seaspan, building navy vessels. I have a hunch, however, that those workers may not be able to afford these new Harbourside residences. Consequently many will live in Surrey, Langley and points east, and will drive to and from their jobs at Seaspan. More stress on our roads will be the result.
Nearby is yet another major development, The Shore. Further development has been approved on the Marine Drive side of that site.
These projects will further increase construction vehicle traffic, as if such an increase was desirable.
Meanwhile, through all of this, nothing has been done to improve and increase the capacity of our traffic infrastructure.
Yet that would seem to be essential, given the massive increase in residential units in that area. Oh, of course, all these new residents will walk or use bicycles and transit to get to and from work. Sure they will!
I have to conclude that most city politicians seem more concerned for the folks they hope will locate here than for the folks already here. I am not opposed to sensible development. But what's happening at Harbourside is madness.
David Rodger
North Vancouver
