SE BN ey BET He « Tube iatest Burrard Inlet crossing idea New approach for old concern PROPOSALS FOR a much- anticipated new crossing between the North Shore and Vancouver include bridges over or tunnels under the water. By lan Noble News Reporter Why not, asked Nort Vancouver consultant James Paterson izatt, go through the water? Thus was born his “stupidly sim- ple” cell aqua-tube. Izatt envisions tubes of 30-metre (100-foot) lengths, laid end-to-end, to connect the two sides of Burrard Inlet. The tubes could accommodate buses, cars, pedestrians and cyclists, said Izatt. “This is a quick and efficient way to do it and it gives employment.” The cell-aqua-tube Izatt proposes will be approx- imately 11.2 metres (37 feet) wide in two steel sheets, forming a pas- sageway for cars, people, buses and bikes. The steel is encased in concrete. The con- crete section is superimposed on three tradi- tional rails with conventional train wheels at suit- able spacing. The rails sit on conventional concrete sleepers on a gravel rock base on the sea bed. Concrete fins along ihe tubes length reinforce the side structures. Each prefabricated, sealed sec- tion would be laid on rails and slowly pushed by mechanica! means along the rails. Like a toy train set, you slip them into each other. “St’s the same idea,” Izatt said. “It’s nothing new. You just use the concept different- ly. It’s all been done before.” All tubes would be pressurized and air conditioned, and joints waterproofed. Izatt pegs the cost of the tube for the 3.3 km = (two-mile) Lonsdale-Vancouver Seabus route at $462 million and Pemberton to Stanley Park at $278 million. Costs could be reduced with increased efficiency. Izatt added a tube-building pro- gram could be up and running quite quickly using shipbuilding fucili- ties at the foot of Lonsdale. Izaut added similar tubes could also transport traffic from the mainiand to Vancouver Island, and from Cates Park to Burnaby to the Barnet Highway. “I've got the concept to do this,” he said. “All ['ve got to do is ask the consultants can we do this? Can we do that?” Not all the problems have been ironed out, but Izatt anticipates they can be solved. Electric transportation such as buses could go back and forth car- rying people, said Izatt. Izatt has applied for a patent for the celi aqua-tube, and expects to sections . have one in two years. The gravel needed for the rail bed can be mined north of Rice Lake, leaving a big hole for an indoor stadium, he added. Another benefit of the tube is that it would be earthquake proof, said Izatt of Advanced Conservation Technologies. In earthquakes, bridges collapse and tunnels shatier. But the tube would maintain it’s shape because of the water pressure on it, he said, although =the gravel will “jelly” to a cer- tain extent. 66 It’s nothing new. izatt is a You just use the con- cept differently. It’s all been done before.” — NV Consultant James Paterson Izatt member of the British Institute of Architectural Technology and a playing field consultant. Currently, Ministry of Transportation and Highways bureaucrats are narrowing down the six options for a new bridge or tunnel. The short list of corridor options, along with recommenda- tions on whether a bridge or tunnel is best suited for the options, will be presented in January by Minister of Transportation and Highways Jackie Pement. said senior project manager Dave Ferguson. Ferguson said the aqua-tube is not being studied specifically, but if a tunnel is called for, that is an option that would be looked at. TUNE FINAN TIAL One of Canatia’s 50 Best Managed Private Companies “It is a great pleasure to extend my congratu:ations to you on Fortune Financial Management being named one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Private Companies.” Jean Chretien, iD hrs Prime Minister For a free 7 hour financiai consultation contact James Perkins, Vice Prasident and Retirement Planning Specialist. Cail 681-1360 Suite 1750, 1075 W, Georgia St., Van. NCRTH VANCOU- VER'S James Paterson Izatt (above) says his “stupidiy simple” propesed crossing would be built focally and could run under Lonsdale Quay. !zatt sees 3O-meire (98- feet) tubes on rail tracks connecting Vancouver to the North Shore. KIDS FOLLOW THE WATER SAFETY RULES DO YOU? ro The Canadian Red Cross Society aPC GALORE CONSIGNMENT LID. VANCOUVER'S FINEST COMPUTER CONSIGNMENT STORE 119 Lonsdale Ave. 2744 W. 40) Ave. 990-0547 732-76" 6 aa - SUPER PACK - ° VALUE PREPARATION ¢ SUPREME PAINT ¢ 2 YEAR GLOSS WARRARTY ¢ INTEGRATED CLEAR COAT 945 West ist Street North Vancouver 984-4111 Expires Jan. 15, 1996 Vors, Face oma we ew Additonal suctace prepors ba ec Bes cos epee he ond shipging of old point extra. mamma a a .