12 — Wednesday, March 18, 1998 — North Shore News link an 0 From page 3 connecting Tokyo and Nagano was butit for last month’s Winter Olyarpics in Japan. And so it should be for the Vancouver-Whistler Olympic bid. Infrastructure, trom trains to highways to arenas, is a lasting legacy and benetis, for Olympic host cities. Consider the impact Expo left on Vancouver — a Skytrain that is today used by thousands of commuters and a False Creek site that is on its way to becoming a world-class watertront living environ- ment. Like all projects of this Magnitude, a number of options are to be considered when linking Vancouver to Squamish and Whistler. Whar should not be up for debate, however, is the type of transp-srtation to be con- sidered —- a high-speed rail line. Associated most often with Japan's Shinkansen, or bullet train service, high- speed rail lines are the answer to urban gridlock in the 21st Century. And a Canadian company is icading the way. Bombardier is parz of a consortium that is building high-speed trains thar will reach speeds of 240 km-h in the Washington- New York and New York- Boston corridors. The first trains are slated to begin operation next year. And in 2004, a high-speed line will operate between Miami and Orlando. Two years later the service will be extended to include Tampa. Again, Bombardier is part of the consortium that . will build and operate the Florida high-speed rail system. The Quebec-based company also built the passenger coaches used by the West Coast Express. High-speed trains of today are much different from the Shinkansen that first linked Tokvo with Osaka in 1964. For example, as the speeds the trains can travel increased, roadside signage became useless. The engineer could barely see, let alone read the sign as it whizzed by. ‘Trains of today use on-board computers that monitor and control both the cabs and the tracks. In the case of a prob- lem up ahead, the computers ean shut the train down. So, the technology is out there to build a Vancouver to Squamish to Whistler high speed rail link. And it’s Canadian. What better an opportunity for the federal government to infuse the West with some tasty infra- structure programs? North Vancouver District Coun. Trevor Carokin knows first-hand the effort needed to host. the Winter Olympics. In 1986 Carolan and his family moved to Calgary when he took a position with the Olympic Arts Festival. He also volunteered his time at the ski jumping event. In terms of the 2010 bid, Carolan agreed that the Richmond to Vancouver to Whistler transportation link CORRECTION NOTICE In our B2-3 Bay Day flyer, Appliances, Microwave & Vacuum offers on pages 52 & 53 should have read “6 Days Only! Wed.. Mar. 18 to Mon., Mar. 23”. Scented candies on page 56 will be substituted at the store. Romantica silverplated _ hoi- fowata and 4-piece coffee set on page 58 may be in limited quan- tities — rainchecks will be avail- able at the store. Proctor-Silex toaster on page 62 is not as shown in photo. Quattro duvet twin on back of insert should have read “Our rag. $85". Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. BRAKE SPECIALISTS BCAA - A.B.A. - 1.0.8.0. Approved x ESTIMATES * TALKING. LIFETIME WARRANTY on brake shoes & pads Quality Work Trustworthy Service Our 40th Year FREE ESTIMATES & CONSULTATIONS ALSO COMPLETE CONSULTATION Wose-c000 MECHANICAL REPAIRS 985-7455 9000 i7igisis. Guaranteed 1 year 17& Pemberton, N. Van (5 biks south of Marine) will be a big issue. “Presumably, we'd have to use (the BC Rail) line up to Whistler, otherwise we'd be building causeways all across Howe Sound.” he said. How about a high-speed link via Indian Arm? “T haven't heard anything about that, but for the District of North Vancouver that would be a matter of some real concern,” he said. “We could end up getting some North Shore benefit in terms of transportation out of thar Kind of project.” Which brings us re the million, make that billion, dollar question? Where is the money? Consider the impact a fast train ride to Whistler would have on Entrawest’s business? And the commuter and tourism spinotts from a high-speed rail tink to Squamish? And the business to Bombardier? The jobs? Some will consider such a proposal as HG. Wells fie- tron; others will see the VEOn iat, When queried by News reporter Martin Millerchip if BC Rail has considered such a proposal, the conipany’s director of sorperate com- munications Barry Wall said: “Goud God no. When are they? Twelve years away? lympic-sized legacy Why would we get inte that now? We might get into that when and if (she Olympics} happen.” By then, it will be too lare for the right decision. Vhe decision will be based oa what can be built ina short amount of time, and not based on the best possible link tor the games and after. However, we can at icast imagine. TAX RETURNS Call Brian Watts for an appoiniment. « Self Employment Income ¢ Employment Income ° Retirement ¢ Capital Gains * Disability Credits « Investment Income « Rental Income e Child Care . Meving Expenses We also offer Financia) Planning Services WHITTAKER & ASSOCIATES 988-7832 CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS 3151 Woodbine Dr. {Edgemont Village) Small Sweet Navel Oranges