8 - Wednesday, October 9, 1991 - North Shore News MAILBOX North Shore is in desperate need of a third crossing Dear Editor: Yes, we need a third crossing of Burrard Inlet. Well, why not? Let’s get into the fray of the crossing argument, primarily because ‘‘more roadways don’t reduce congestion’ only deals with about 16% of the problem. The other 90% is as follows: The Lions Gate Bridge will not last forever without major refur- bishing. To start thinking of a replacement at that time would be poor planning; a five- to 10-year ‘lead-time’? is required to build another crossing. The economic viability of a tegion is very much tied to its transportation system; our recre- ational areas to the north, Seymour, Grouse, Cypress, _Horseshoe Bay, Britannia Beach, Squamish, Whistler and Pember- ton, require increasingly better ac- cess to sustain their vitality. The industriai/commercial/recr .eational areas of the North Shore attract more and more employees, visitors and tourists from the south side cf Burrard Inlet. Prob- ably two-thirds of the major tourist attractions of the region are on, or accessed by; the North Shore. Greater Vancouver is an eco- nomic entity; one cannot separate the North Shore from it just because it fies north of an inlet, or Delta because it lies south of a river. Residential density is desirable on the North Shore, if you con- sider that the alternative is further suburban sprawl, cating up more farmland and creating even longer conimuter trips. The majority of SeaBus patrons transfer from buses —. not from cars. Thus, the SeaBus has hardly made a dent in auto traffic. How- ever, it is a nice tourist attraction. The longer we wait for a third crossing, the more it will cost, as currently available rights-of-way will be built on, The economic way to build a crossing is to make it usable for both cars snd transit, as the cost of the foundation and cable work for a cars-on bridge would be only murginally lower than that of a combined auto and transit bridge. Zoltan Kuun NV Chamber of Commerce News Mailbox policy LETTERS TO the editor must in- clude your name, written legibly, your full address and telephone "number. Due to space constraints the North Shore News cannot publish all letters. Published letters may be edited for brevity, clarity, ac- curacy, legality and taste. Davin MiTcHeLe On the Environment: LIBER r4 r4 West Vancouver — Garibaidi has some of the most beautiful land and seascapes in the world. Issues related to forest manage- ment, the need to clean up Howe Sound and the preservation of the natural habitat receive a lot of healthy public discussion here. “Unfortunately, the polarization in our provin- cial politics has seen some parties resort to scare tactics to create the impression that we have to choose between jobs and the environment. “We've got to start looking at the environment as an opportunity. Our goa! in B.C. should be to have the toughest environmental standards in the world, fairly . implemented, consistently enforced. At the same time, we should be developing the businesses and teclinologics required to clean up the environment — not only here, but for export around the world. Such efforts should be enccuraged, both as a solution to our inimediate environmental concerns, and as an engine of economic growth. 9 9 AL West Vancouver - Garibaldi Support a Candidate Who Cares — 922-7430 NOTICE TO MOTORISTS PORTEAU BLUFFS ROCK SCALING PROJECT SEATO-SKY HIGHWAY 99 The Ministry of Transportation and Highways advises that there will be week- o day closures on the Sea-to-Sky Highway at Porteau Bluffs, 25 km north of Horseshoe Bay, from Monday September 30 until Friday November 1. The @ Em . closures are needed for rock scaling, bolting and blasting work. Closures are [i scheduled ‘as follows: Monday to Thursday 12:00 Midnight - 5:30 AM 10:00 AM — 12:30 Noon 4:30 PM ~— 4:00 PM There will be no closures on Friday afternoons, weekends, statutory holidays, Advance Polling Days or on Election Day. For further information, please contact the Ministry of Transportation and @ Highways 24-Hour Road Report at 525-4997 (Greater Vancouver), 938-4997 & Friday 12:00 Midnight - 5:30 AM 10:00 AM - 12:30 Noon - (Whistler), 371-4997 (Kamloops), 860-4997 (Kelowna), 855-4997 (Abbotsford), 380-4997 (Victoria). In all other areas please calt 1-800-663-4997. Province of WZ, British Columbia ie Ministry of Transportation and Highways Hon. Lyall Hanson, Minister —FOCUS ON EDUCATION POLICY— ° THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10° | Carson Graham School Cafeteria 2145 Jones Ave., North Vancouver 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. — North Vancouver-Lonsdaie . Candidates 8:15 - 9:15 p.m. — North Vancouver-Seymour Candidates EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND. Find out what the candidates think about education policy and other issues. MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE ON OCTOBER 17 Sponsored by the North Vancouver Teachers’ Association