Dear Editor
The mayor’s vision to connect Queensborough to the Quay is an admirable goal. Should it be built at all costs?
Aside from the obvious impact to communities on both sides if the proposed drawbridge and elevators were built, we should take a look at the financial aspects and rethink other options.
The city has some $6 million remaining the DAC funds to build a pedestrian crossing. The current proposal for a drawbridge and four-storey high elevator is roughly estimated at $12 million. Once a detailed engineering design is conducted, this drawbridge will most definitely exceed the budget by a far margin, given the challenges of the river and the bascule concept.
Another option: In 2013, Southern Railway proposed attaching a walkway alongside the existing rail bridge. The following is a direct excerpt from the 2013 document: “SRY indicated that they may be amenable to adapting their operating procedures to allow a low-level crossing to typically be in the closed position (ie: available to pedestrians and cyclists to cross)”
Let’s take a look at the many benefits:
- Rail bridge already exists;
- Least expensive option: the $6 million casino funding would easily cover it all;
- The walkway will be low and unobtrusive;
- The low height of the walkway will not attract bridge jumpers;
- No need to build elevators, which are expensive to build and expensive to maintain;
- Ramps leading up to the low-level rail bridge walkway will be quite easy to achieve and gradual for everybody to manage (pedestrians, cyclists, baby strollers, walkers and scooters);
- Much easier for the rail operator to control, and safer for the pedestrians.
It is not too late to rethink this option. The city indicated in 2013 that a survey showed that preference was given to the drawbridge. However, were all the facts known at the time?
We still don’t have very many facts now.
Given the tremendous challenges and constraints posed by the river and the port authority, plus the phenomenal costs of designing, building and maintaining a drawbridge and elevators, plus the monstrous impact on communities on both sides, we are urging the city to use our money wisely.
Sue Allan, New Westminster
