Time for Vancouver to Tear Down Its Viaducts?

[IanS]

Here's the full quote from Halcrow on the 100% removal option:

Summary of 100% Removal Traffic Impacts
This option presents the most significant reduction in east/west road network capacity as well as loss of segregated walking and cycling facilities with the complete removal of both the Georgia and Dunsmuir St viaducts. This scenario results in significant diversion of trips to other east/west corridors including minor roads such as Keefer St. The model results show the level of traffic dispersion that occurs as vehicle-based trips seek alternatives to access the downtown area. This scenario also results in more significant increases to auto travel times generally on the road network which results in a moderate diversion of trips to transit. Furthermore, the increased vehicle congestion on transit corridors has a noticeable impact on bus travel times
which discourages further diversion of trips to transit. As a result, some transit users that were on buses on east/west corridors divert to the Expo Line where travel times are faster and more predictable. Pedestrians and cyclists are significantly impacted with the loss of separated facilities on both viaducts. Cyclists currently have no comparable separated east/west route that provides safe and convenient access to and from the downtown area across the eastern CBD neck.

and

Potential Timing
As we look to the future, the transportation modelling shows that a large portion of the trip growth will occur on transit. This means that the road network is able to handle capacity reductions of varying degrees by some diversion to transit, but also redirection to other streets. A reduction of 20% would have little to no impact on adjacent streets, 50% would divert a moderate number of vehicles to the adjacent streets and would likely cause some increased travel times but is within the roadway capacity. A 100% reduction would divert more vehicles but is still within the capacity of the adjacent streets and does not appear to divert enough vehicles that the current road network cannot adequately handle.

The 20% scenario could be undertaken tomorrow given the level of impact, the 50% scenario due to complexity and the need to determine what the configuration would look like would take about 5-10 years before being reasonably implemented. The UBC Line, Evergreen Line and Hastings B-Line should all be in place to ensure that there are travel options available for people for the 100% Removal scenario. As such, the timing for the 100% Removal scenario is likely in the +15 yrs range.

So, while Halcrow does say that the surrounding roads have the capacity to handle the traffic, it sure isn't something they recommend jumping into.

If we did decide to remove the 'ducts, i would want to light a fire under the feet of translink to get these corridors developed. It would be interesting to see if we can get london-style bus lanes on Hastings. The UBC skytrain would take a few more years, but evergreen hopefully is ready to go.

I'm not particularly optimistic that Translink in that respect. It's possible that things will change over the next several years, but the current model does not seem very effective at promoting new services.

ultimately whether this, the process and the final product, will be a success or failure is vision vancouver's problem.

Sadly, I think it will be Vancouver's problem, not Vision's. I expect Meggs will be in Victoria by the time the damage is done.