4 ~ Sunday, April 20, 1997 ~ North Shore News Lions Gate Bridge bids requested By lan Noble News Reporter san@nsnews.com THE Lions Gate Bridge is a beautiful sight, but when it comes to future plans for the aging span, some say vision is lack- ing. That sums up much of the sentiment expressed by a North Shore’ contingent attending a government announcement on the bridge’s future Friday morn- ing FoNo long-term thinking,” said West ' Vancouver Coun. Liz Byrd. “Inadequate,” chimed in North Vancouver District Coun. Ernie Crist. — “Frustrating,” said West Vancouver’: 's Arthur Griffiths, - the two-year chairman. of a . former’. committee that delved deeply into the ‘options for aLions Gate . . crossing. Speaking - ata Canada Place press conference where _ Transportation Minister Lois » Boone reiterated. govern- ment plans to seck a public: private partnership improve the crossing, Crist expressed frustration that the plan did not include the pos- sibility of a rapid transit link. “This is a golden oppor- tunity 1 to introduce that ele- ment,” said Crist, who argues that the Lower Mainland must move away from cars due to increasing polluticn and congestion. “Without a rapid transit extension to the North Shore the traffic problem will sim- ply get worse,” said Crist. Boone announced the “government will call for pri- vate-sector. proposals for designing, constructing and financing a new Lions Gate crossing. Boone expects to receive proposals that include a four- ane tunnel under Stanley Park leading to a bridge or a four-lane option with a two- Jane tunnel under the park with rwo lanes of traffic remaining on the causeway. If an acceptable proposal is not received from the bid process, then the govern- ment will go ahead with a $70-million rehabilitation of the existing three-lane bridge and causeway. According to Boone, bid- ders must meet conditions calling fer: Mi the use of the existing bridge and causeway align- ment; @ four lanes of traffic with Make your next move an informed one. Get the results you deserve... Please give me a call! PS “You'l be on my service!” 926-62 33 Remax Masters Realty #200-1455 Bellevue West Vancouver Family Physician - Dr. Dean Brown MD CCFP s pleased fo announce the opening of his practice.. #801-145 E 13th Street 980-4841 ‘North Vancouver New Patients welcome. ‘B45, “Marine Brive 7 Notth Vancouver 987. 5231 a ‘ surface traffic through Stanley Park eliminated or reduced; i reductions to traffic in the West End; and a $70-million maxi- mum investment by Victoria over five years, with other funds to come from tolls. The province will ask for bids by sometime in the fall and expects to evaluate them by Jan. 1, when a long-await- ed decision should be made. Construction on the two- and-a-half year _ project should begin in 1999. A number of the govern- ment’s conditions sparked concern among the North Shore delegation. Tolls, which are not required on any other bridges in the Lower Mainland but have been charged in the past to pay for the area’s bridges, are unac- ceptable to the mayors of North Vancouver District and City. Saying the plans laid out by Boone are what he expected, City Mayor Jack .the North Shore, Loucks added he doesn’t like the fact tolls will likely be charged. “Burt J don’t think we are going to change their mind on that,” he said. District Mayor Don Beil, who also blasted the govern- ment for what he called a lack of consultation with the district on the bridge project, said funds for the bridge should come from revenue streams such as gas taxes or licensing fees. Byrd, who also took the government to task for not including transit options in the proposal, said her munic- ipality’s residents should not be penalized with a toll. The bridge, she pointed out, serves the province’s residents and is an important link for the wm industry romoted Victoria. Promoed ae, she Lid, it should be funded by Victoria. West Vancouver-Capilano MLA Jeremy Dalton called the toll blackmail and added which elected provincial Liberals across the board, is again being penalized. Although a $2 toll has been bandied about by many, including Premier Glen Clark, Boone. said Friday a limit kas not been set by government, although it would be difficult to go above $2. She argued a $70-million contribution from a cash- strapped government is a lot of money. Griffiths, whose Lions Gate Bridge Public Steering Critics say bridge vision lacking Conumittee settled on a six- Jane solution for the crossing after exhaustive research, said four lanes will still icave both ends cf the bridge congest- ed. : “We've got a major prob- lem that I think is being pushed off into the distance once again,” he said. Local municipalities and the Squamish Nation, which owns land at the north end of the bridge, will be part of the development of a propos- al call, said Boone. ICEC CLAIMS Protect yourself Hire an experienced ICBC Claims Lawyer JOHN NOBLE 669-9755 Free House Calis The City of North Vancouver IMPORTANT NOTICE RESIDENTIAL GARBAGE COLLECTION ~— Effective May 5, 1997, the City of North Vancouver will begin a new residential garbage collection program which will set the “standard service level” at 3 bags or cans per week collected from each household. — Each container or bag must not weigh more than twenty (20) kilograms (45 pounds). — For the collection of “extra” cans/bags, (in excess of 3), a special TAG must be attached. , — TAGS can be purchased for $1.00 from City Hall ¢ the City Library - after 4:30 p.m.) and at the Lonsdale, William Grifi:i, Karen Magnussen and Delbrook Recreation Centres. — Each TAG is good for the removal of one bag/can of garbage not to exceed 20 kilograms (45 pounds) in weight (the tags are not reuseable). — A Provincial mandate has been put in piace stating that garbage waste MUST be reduced significantly by the year 2090. This new standard service level will help us in reducing the amount of garbage . we send to the landfill. — If you have any questions or concerns, please call 987-7155. Please do your part ........ REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE ...... ..ceee IT’S WORTH IT me? e006 THREE IS THE LIMIT ... ONE IS THE GOAL! ¥ The City of North Vancouver