by | Nebbeling vs. Mitchell in Hwy 99 debate WHISTLER MAYOR _ Ted Nebbeling says West Vancouver-Garibaldi MLA David Mitchell has usurped a proposal for an Indian Arm highway from the Sea-to-Sky Transportation Committee. By lan Noble News Reporter . Nebbeling said the alternate route announced by Mitchell in a recent householder and an Oct. 20 News article is similar to one being studied by the committee, which includes the mayors inthe Sea-to-Sky corridor and the chairman of the Squamish- Lillooet Regional IDistrict. But Mitchell said he is not trying to hijack the proposal, just uccelerate it, “As the mayor points out,” said Mitchell, “they have been talking about this for several years and noth- ing has been done.” This could be one of many battles Mitchel! and Nebbeling, the Liberal’s candidate for the West Vancouver- Garibaldi riding, wage in the. near future. However, Mitchell, an inde- pendent, has not committed to run- ning in 1996, when the NDP must call an election. - The proposal Mitchell's pursuing calls for a highway to be built from Bumaby, over a new Third Narrows crossing, along Indian Arm and northwest to Squamish. Eventually a six-lane. highway would connect Squamish to Whistler. Total tab: about $1 billion, said Mitchell.” ; He reasons that booming towns ’. and increasing investment along Highway 99 have made it imperative a new route. to Squamish be built. - Such a highway would also relieve * congestion on North Shore bridges and roads. ; Mitchell said he will enlist local governments to push the province to For over 50 years, NEWS photo Terry Peters WHISTLER MAYOR Ted Nebbeling displays a copy of a report on the Sea To Sky. Highway 99 traffic corridor. build the road. . Nebbeling said the Sea-to-Sky committee has discussed the proposal for years, but with a slightly different funding approach. If Mitchell wants to get on board with the proposal, he should work through the Sea-to-Sky Transportation . Committee. — said Nebbeling. “T feel Slightly insulted that Mitchell's trying to give the percep- tion through the presentation of this proposal that this is his brain-child, when it clearly is not,’ Nebbeling said. He added that he’s not happy with the way Mitchell has manipulat- ed the issue and presented himself as a knight in shining armor. Mitchell acknowledges the com- mittee has talked about an Indian Arm route, “but everybody’s talked . about it.” . Mitchell added he’s trying to get all-party support for the proposal as the province heads in to a new parlia- ment. Nebbeling said committee discus- we've been creating individual solutions through a range of products. including GICs, RSPs and our fumily of Cthical Mataal Funds. sions haye focused on highway financing, specifically a private-pub- lic partnership deal to build and fund the road. The deal could include making land available to companies con- structing the road, similar to the way Canada’s rail system was developed. said Nebbeling. “We ure supporting the private- sector approach as being the only way that this project could ever hap- pen,” he said. Mitchell said he doesn’t advocate a private partnership as his first fund- ing choice for the road because it will likely mean tolls, but it’s an option. He said the link could be funded by the B.C. Transportation Financing Authority, in a way similar lo the Island Highway. Nebbeling called cost estimates of $1 billion unreliable, saying land, investment and environmental issues will determine the final tab. He wants a-scenic four-lane route from Squamish to Whistler, not the six lanes Mitchell's proposal calls for. Plus, fora limited time, there's PLEX Cerm 96. But Hime is. running oul, so call today, 980-1321. 3040 Edgemont Blvd., North Vancouver Sunday, November 5, 1995 — North Shore News ~ 7 ‘10 MINUTE. * OIL CHANGE CENTRE — 62° MARINE DRIVE 980-9115 ‘comnts coupons uccepted fe : » 30/95 expires Now Of Ll wall cUuUSTOM DRAPERIES, TRACKS AND VALANCES Labour $8.50 per panel unlined, $9.50 lined. CUSTOM BEDSPREADS & BLINDS At low, low prices. For FREE Estimates call 987-2966 (Ask about Seniors’ Discounts) Serving the North Shore for 24 years TIMELESS CLASSIC In a beautiful young readers edition Introduce this untorgettable, heartrending tale to the minds of a new generation of readers, ages 5-10 Lassie Come Home Rosemary Wells ° Susan Jeffers $21.95 kKidsbooks —in the viliage— 986-6190 Ff [s NORTH SHORE (1 CREDIT UNION a Alnor in Lyour Communili- 9 Full Service Locations ; West Vancouver 6 Nath Vancouver Whister Vancouver Burnaby: