SEPTEMBER 5, 1999

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48 Pages The Voice of Nerth a

Fraser stirs causeway controversy

Katharine Hames
Contriauting Writer

AFTER months of taking potshots at the provincial
government for its ill-conceived upgrade plans for
Lions Gate Bridge, disgruntled North Shore residents
have found a new target in the Vancouver Park Board.

Russ Fraser, that has

{r’s the park board, according to West Vancouver Coun
auseway at the

thrown a spanner in the works of plans to widen traflic lanes in the
south end of the bridge.

“They're screaming that they can’t give an inch (ofpark land),” said Fraser, “But
they're already clearing land for walking and cycling. Surely they can allow an exira
20 inches per Jane.”

Fraser, who is also an engincer, said the planned width of the causeway through
Stanley Park is three metres per lane: half'a metre fess than the bridge lanes, which
will be widened from the current 2.9 m to 3.5 m (11.48 feet) and halfa metre less
per lane than the current: Roadbuilders’ Association standard of 3.5. metre
Meanwhile, both causeway and Lions Gate Bridge sidewalks will be widened trom
1.3 mto 2.0 m (6.6 ft).

Fraser's claim was verified by lan Druce of the B.C, Transportation Financing,
Authority. Druce said the decision against widening the causeway lanes was made
by the park board.

“[t’s a substandard roadway,” said Fraser. “It’s just a huge lawsuit waiting to be

See Safety page §

Lions Gate Bridge loses ‘Gracie’s Pearls’

Katharine Hamer

Contributing Writer

THE beloved and beleaguered Lions Gate Bridge is
becoming more and more like 2 faded beauty queen

in the run-up to its renovation.

Its night lights — dubbed “Gracie’s Pearls,” after one-time Socred cabinet
minister Grace MacCarthy — were switched off last weekend in preparation
for construction work.

American Bridge/Surespan, which is spearheading the bridge upgrade pro-
ject, said the lights had been disconnected to protect worker safety.

The lights, which have been decorating the bridge since 1986, will be out
of action until work is completed on the bridge in the fall of 2000.

Meanwhile, plane travellers won’t have a shiny new view of the bridge —
ics towers will be painted only as far as cye-level.

NTO Y

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NEWS photo Brad Ledwidge

DAN Jepsen, left, with friend David Byng, is worried that the dangers of cycling across the nar-
row sidewalks of Lions Gate Bridge will only increase during construction work.

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