32 — Friday, March 20, 1998 - More THERE’S never a NIMBY around when you need one. Over the list several months there have been nisacrous News’ readers adding their nwo cents to the third crossing question by way of letters to the edi- tor. All of them offer a few ideas — some quite insight- ful, others quite ignorant — on how to build the best crossing possible. For years, many North Shorites have been waiting in vain for a third crossing over/under the Burrard Inlet. The lack of anything ro show for our wanting may be fortuitous for as the old saying goes, “be careful what vou wish for, for you just might get it.” If anvone’s mentioned how horrible a bigger Lions Gate Bridge or new crossing to the downtown core would be, I missed it. And while a third cross- ing would certainly benefit commiuters and ease the exasperating pickle of rush hour traffic around the Bridge and its sister, the beliked Second Narrows, no Wanted: race car drivers EVER wonder what it would be like to be a race car driver? if the answer is ves, the Spores Car Club of B.C. has an opportunity for you. On March 27 through March 29 the club is hosting a driver training, course at Mission Mocorsport Park. Originally designed as the first step towards becoming a race car dtiver, the two and a half day program is equally valuable for the driving enthu- siast and people who simply want to become better dri- vers. In addition to improving your driving skills, vou will come away with a much better appreciation of motorsports. The course begins on Friday evening with a techni- cal inspection of the cars and a classroam session on salety, flagging, driver preparation and pertermance driving the- ory. Saturday morning stares bright and early with a brief drivers meeting where the instructors are introduced and othe curriculum is reviewed. Then, its onto the track for the rest af the week- end. The oa-track instruction is by way of dual instruction which means there is) an instructor in the car with you at all time The weekend costs $275, You must bold a valid: drivers license and have a car in good mechanical condition. Space is limited so te is recommend: cd you register eviy. For tur- ther information and to regis: ter call 872-5625. North Shore News GF , Shaun | Contin signals one ever seems to take into account the whys and wherefores of this daily drudgery. When the Lions Gate Bridge was first being built it was considered a fool’s errand thar would never pay for itself. As time tells it, the stressed structure is over worked, under-repaired and quite possibly on its last leg. Why? There are too many pro- ple living on the North Shore. This “bedroom commu- nity” of ours is turning into an ¢n suite. Isn't it obvious that a third crossing will only make it casier for the masses to infiltrate our quaint, quiet community to the point that ic is no longer quaint and quict? Does anyone stop and LUBE OIL & x 15 point inspection includes: * quality GM oil filter, lube chassis and up io 5 litres of GM Goodwrench Premium motor oil * top-up Ssint north shore news Ns. AS think that the phenomena known as “urban sprawl” will turn us inte Vertical Surrey should commuting to and from our fine shore become fast and efficient? Without going on about our perverse infatuation with the automobile and our lack of interest in reworking our inefficiently under-uti- lized transit system, lets rake a look at what's going to “A better Lions Gate Bridge ora new third crossing is bound to destroy everything nice about this shore.” happen the moment driving here gets casict North Van City traftic technologist Len Mericux ran a transportation com- puter model a couple of years back and his findings Were fascinating, if not damn seary. Ifa third crossing con- #2 AU S$ mean more people TO necting the North Shore to Vancouver -— at any location — is built. then trathie vol- ume will be dramatically reduced on the two existing bridges. Duh. However, in 10 to 20 years the volume on both the Lions Gate and the Second Narrows will be evaetly the same as it is today! Further, traffic volume on this hypothetical third crossing Will reach maximum capacity and there will be an unJentable demand for a toucth crossing. This means, of course, thar the North Shore's pop- ulation will have swelled to the point that our beautiful green mountains will be bespeckled with homes and the term “scenic drive” will de an oxymoron. Where have all those noby North Shore NIMBYs gone? Come on, vou tree hug: gers! That wonderful tree: line of ours will recede faster than you can say Husqvarna, Come on, vou Big Box bashers! ff in’s quick and casy to get here, they'll come in droves and shop ‘DONE-IN.29. MINUTES OR LESS OR THE NEXT, OF und they drop. Come on, vou speed bump advocates! Your quaint and quiet side street will extend about as far as vour driveway with- in a decade. Ger it? Don't get me wrong. I'm pretty handy with a chain saw; T find the nearest Mega-fo-Mart to be pretty handy; and I use side-street short-cuts as often as passi- ble. B.C.A.A. - A.R.A. APPROVED CENTR Bur a better Lions Gate Bridge or a new third cross- ing is bound to destroy everything nice about this shore. If the North Shore NIMBY Society ever has the gumption to hold a “Blow Up the Bridges” rally, Tl be there with bells on, Keep ‘em out of our back vard. Be careful what you wish for and, not that it’s rele- vant, be sate. ALL MAKE COLLISION REPAIRS “LIFETIME GUARANTEE” Alternative transportation arranged Ax Estimates * TALKING t Consultation i 985-7455 ELOw PAGES ban az -9000 MB 7141515 . pen “Miy GM car is different from most cars. That’s why I bought it. d that’s why I take it to Nobody knows your GM car better than we do, After ail, we designed and built it in the first place. As a result, our technicians are factory-trained, our diagnostic equipment and tools are designed to service GM vehicles, and we use only genuine GM rts. So we get the job done right, the first time, at the price that you're quoted. That's a lube, oif ervice you won't find anywhere else. 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