SOUND OFF: Why do we need a Red Bridge replacement before a second North Shore crossing?

The immediate outcry from city hall after the fire was that the bridge saw 6,000 vehicle crossings daily and was a vital transportation link, hence it was paramount to be replaced. Days later, the vehicle crossings were said to be 7,000 daily. Weeks later it was 8,000 daily vehicles, followed months later by 10,000 daily crossings and a year later 12,000 crossings as touted by Councillor Hall in April. Think about that – the daily traffic has doubled since the bridge burned down. No, I don’t take these numbers seriously – hell, I don’t take anything this council says seriously and I’m quite certain Victoria doesn’t either. Is this a case of The Boy Who Cried Wolf or being too clever by half?

The city’s argument that the link is essential both economically and culturally, along with Hall’s pitch that only two lanes are required for the 12,000 daily vehicles seem to be incongruent. Who’s doing the messaging?

Bridges are built for 100-year life spans. With that in mind, they are built for the future and not the present. If this bridge had 12,000 crossings daily, then soon it will have 20,000, then 30,000 and so on, meaning it will require four lanes. Hence, a much more expensive, much more expansive bridge is needed. A four-lane bridge also means four lanes along Lorne Street, which means widening Lorne Street which will require the city to appropriate land all along the route – and I don’t think we’ll be getting this land from CP Rail. This means a slew of homes will have to be bought out. This ain’t going to be cheap and the $25-million number may, indeed, be a very conservative number.

So again, I ask why is it imperative the province spend $400-to-500-million and we, the city, another $25-million-plus on a second crossing to an industrial park at another community before we have a second crossing to 40,000 residents of our own community?

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.

by Mac Gordon

SOUND OFF: Why do we need a Red Bridge replacement before a second North Shore crossing?

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