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I agree with everything you said, and the thought of a freeway through Stanley Park is certainly not what I want.
What I have issue with is the idea that Vancouver's growing suburbs should not see any investment in road infrastructure because of the success of the planning model of the downtown core.
So Vancouver rejected freeways in the 60's? Great. However, that shouldn't impact the much needed expansion of projects like the Patullo or Massey Tunnel. Suburban communities have different needs, different demographics and their priorities should be treated as such.
Then we both are happy since I get my transit, The Evergreen line which is starting construction.
An NDP government (which is looking very likely since Christy has self-destructed) has hinted the Massey Tunnel is not a priority. I'd be surprised if either crossing was significantly improved within the next 15-20 years.
An NDP government (which is looking very likely since Christy has self-destructed) has hinted the Massey Tunnel is not a priority. I'd be surprised if either crossing was significantly improved within the next 15-20 years.
An NDP government (which is looking very likely since Christy has self-destructed) has hinted the Massey Tunnel is not a priority. I'd be surprised if either crossing was significantly improved within the next 15-20 years.
Maybe you'll get those light rail lines Diane Watts has been lobbying for instead. It's maybe not as ideal as getting your tunnel right away, but it'd take some cars off the road meaning a little less congestion then would otherwise be there.
I just came back from Vancouver. The city is very urban, nice and safe, but the traffic is a nightmare. Also parking is almost non-existent or completely unaffordable ($6 per hour!). People who use cars as their main transportation have a really hard time. And a freeway does NOT divide any city. It does exactly what the sky train does. You just see a bridge over the road.
I Also parking is almost non-existent or completely unaffordable ($6 per hour!). People who use cars as their main transportation have a really hard time.
If you are talking about downtown, that's pretty much the goal - to discourage the use of private automobiles so that people can actually enjoy the city more. That's the best thing about Vancouver - that the streets are not dominated by passing vehicles.
Those who "used cars as their main transportation" should think twice before visiting a real city. The car is such a suburban mall and plaza kind of thing. Would you consider driving your car on the streets of Manhattan?
The only vehicles that run on downtown streets should be cabs and delivery trucks. Cars ruin cities all the time.
I just came back from Vancouver. The city is very urban, nice and safe, but the traffic is a nightmare. Also parking is almost non-existent or completely unaffordable ($6 per hour!). People who use cars as their main transportation have a really hard time. And a freeway does NOT divide any city. It does exactly what the sky train does. You just see a bridge over the road.
I haven't parked in downtown Seattle for a few years, but I don't remember it being cheap. I did find online parking at Pike Place that appears cheap at $3.00 per hour and the early bird deals seem good.
All these prices also have maximums and and after hours pricing as well. I don't see many early bird specials though.
I guess it depends on how well one knows a city and where to find affordable parking. As you can see by the links there are plenty of lots downtown and people who don't live downtown, but park downtown go for the monthly rates, not the per hour ones or park, bus or walk to a Skytrain station and come in that way, or take the Westcoast Express.
As for freeways not dividing a city, we are going to have to agree to disagree. Under the Skytrain's elevated parts you can have parks, bikeways and community gardens. All which exist under certain parts of the Skytrain. Also the elevated double track for the Skytrain is nowhere near as wide as a six lane freeway.Most freeways, like the one bisecting Seattle need overpasses over the freeway to get to the other side. There is a distinct feeling, especially for pedestrians, of being jarred somehow by the sudden concrete harshness of a freeway when crossing from one neighbourhood to the next. It just doesn't flow nicely.
I also said traffic is a nightmare, so I don't know what "the streets are not dominated by passing vehicles" means.
wouldn't it be even worse if car use is not discouraged in that case?
high parking charges and lack of parking space at least mitigated such risks, if not solved the problem.
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