Funding needed for Vancouver viaduct removal
Posted April 29, 2017 11:36 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – With just over a week left in the provincial election campaign, Vancouver’s mayor is calling on parties to commit funding to get rid of the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts.
Gregor Robertson says the pending demolition of the crossings needs support from Victoria.
“Hopefully, we have clarity from all the parties on what they will do to help us implement that change because there’s a big neighbourhood that’s about to be built right where the viaducts are -a big new park, lots of new housing and we want to get that project underway.”
Robertson says the provincial government’s commitment hasn’t been finalized yet, but construction is already slated to start next year.
“We’re working towards starting construction next year and building the road network on the ground before the viaducts can come down…If we get commitments in from the province and the various landowners.”
He adds the viaducts need to come down soon because they’re not seismically safe.
“If we have a major earthquake, the viaducts can come and take out the SkyTrain tracks, so that’s a big part of the reason we need to make this happen with some urgency.”
The $200 million dollar project is expected to be completed by 2025.
When it’s done, the new neighbourhood will include mixed housing and a 13-acre park.
