ha’

Merge radar tech with toll

WHEN the Lions Gate
Bridge first opened for
traffic in 1938 many
local residents thought
it was ridiculous to
have built a three-lane
structure.

At 2 time when horse-
drawn carts reguiarly joined
in the parade of early auto-
mobiles over the new bridge,
it was believed that three
lanes were excessive and the
volume of traffic passing

between Vancouver and the ©

North Shore would never
justify the cost of building
such an opulent crossing
; over the First Narrows. .
Almost 60 years later, I’m
“not sure if we should be
thankful for the foresight of
those depression-cra engi-.
neers — or scornful. -

Why?
Well, if they had been
more conventional i in their

mailbox

thinking and modest in their
outlook a nwo-lane bridge
would have been built. And
it would have become obdso-
lete within a short time,
forcing us to come to terms
with the limitations of this
traffic bottlencck a long time
ago.

Instead, that extra third
lane has allowed us to toler-
ate the frustration of the
Lions Gate Bridge for many

years more than it shouid
ave been endured.

The volume of traffic cur-
tently crossing the bridge
easily warrants a doubling of
its current capacity: fram
three to six lanes.

Heaven help us if the
dimwits in government and

oppesition whe believe that
a single additional lane will
suffice have their way. There
really isn’t much consolation
in the fact that we lack
visionaries today.

Clearly, the best overall
proposal for a new crossing
is a six-lane tunnel under-
neath the First Narrows,
avoiding any negative impact
on beloved Stanley Park.
Thz existing Lions Gate
Bridge could then be pre-
served as a heritage struc-
ture, for use by buses,
cyclists and pedestrians.

The cost of 2 tunnel is
estimated to be in the range

se aerneaetoarinhamenetidemmesmaatennanbenet

of $650 million, prompting
some politicians to say it’s
too expensive. But why tin-
ker with the problem of the
First Narrows: after all, the
tunnel isn’t going to get
cheaper just by waiting,
delaying and passing the
problem on to the next gen-
eration.

Since the NDP govern-
ment appears determined to
institute tolls on any new
crossing, we might as well
build the very best structure
that will endure for as long
as possible. Apparently a
tunnel project is still under
active consideration as a
public-private partnership.
According to this plan, a
new authority would be cre-
ated — funded by tolls — ro
build and operate the new
crossing. The authority
would in effect be owned by
the users, and once the tun-
nel was paid for the tolls
could be removed. At least
that’s the theory.

My guess is many com-
muters would be willing to
pay a user fee if the tolls
were used only to pay off the
cost of the tunnel. But keep
in mind that a £2 toll would
re resent an annual cxpense

of approximately $1,000 for
regular commuters,

Distastcful? Yes.
Necessary? Perhaps. An

Sa cert RRR frente PTE

Leave home fires burning

‘T ead hi interest Michael
Becker’s article on wood-bura-
ing fireplaces and I would like
to see things put in proper per-
spective.

-He--mentions a report

which states that 363 metric ©

‘tonnes of particulate matter are

dumped into the atmosphere.
I doubt that all this was from
residential wood-burning.

Coun. Ernie Crist was
“touched” when he read a let-
ter from someone on Fairway
Drive. I wonder if he was
“touched” enough to leave his
terribly polluting car in his car-
port avd use use an alternate form
of transportation?

In a study done some 10
years ago it was stated that
poludon from wood-burning

places was minuscule com-

tivate auto-

pared with the
less harm-

mobile and was

It would be hoped thet our
elected representatives would
use their time to solve weight-
ier issues than to put out the
few remaining warmly hos-
pitable fires on the North
Shore.

AIR. Hoskyn |
North Vancouver

Investor’s Guide to the
“Top RRSP Picks”

® Where to invest this year’s RRSP contribution

Chris Carter
Financial Advisor

for income and growth

© Choosing the right Mutual Funds for your RRSP
_® Proven long-term strategies and some of the

best new opportunities

© Great guaranteed fixed income investment

alternatives

* Proven wealth accumuiation strategies

© RRSP eligible “Hard Asset” investments such as
precious metals, oil/gas and real estate

announcement from the
provincial government is
rumored to be imminent.

There are some who
worry that tolls will simply
create additional traffic jams.
The concern is that automo-
biles will need to slow down
so that drivers can toss
loonies or toonies into a
bucket, or cause line-ups by
asking for change. But new
technology now in use in
several countries allows dri-
vers to pass through toll
booths without even slowing
down.

In fact, toll technology is
a booming business and
widely used in France, Spain
and throughout the United
States.

Typically, drivers place an
clectronic tag on their wind-
shield. Each time their car
passes through a toll booth,
a scanner reads the identifi-
cation number on the rag
and bills the driver’s
account. Drivers then receive
a statement in the mail four
times a year, showing the
tolls used and the amount
deducted from their account.

In the United Srates,
seme bridge and highway
toll systems provide an
incentive of a 10% discount
for drivers enrolled in the
electronic tag program.
Those who are not regis-

BEDDING

AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR

SIMMONS

© Mattresses, Box Springs
& Bed Frames
© Sofa Beds & Roll Away Cots
© Quiles, Pillows & Pads
© Most sizes in stock for
immediate delivery
© Ask about our FREE delivery,

CHECK US OUT

v HUGE SELECTION

v LOW WAREHOUSE .
PRICES —

tered are required to use
slower “cash” lanes.

And what about the dri-
vers who try to cheat the
system by driving through
without a tag and without
paying the toll? Simple.

ey’re recorded by a video
camera and receive a photo-
graph of their car in the mail

along with an exorbitant
fine.

Who says the B.C. gov
ernment has no use for the
much ballyhooed bur so far
disappointing photo radar
system?

— The North Shore News
believes srvongly j in freedom of
speech and the right of all
sides in a debate to be heard.
The columnists published in
the News present differing
points of view, but those views
are not necessarily those of the
newspaper itself.

AESTHETIC LASER Soncrny-

© Laser facial resurfacing and rejuvenation for.
the treatment of unwanted facial wrinkles,
crow's feet, frown lines, acne’ scars, lip wrinki

© Treatment of sun damaged skin . :
© To provide a natural, more youthful appearain :
© State-of-the-art laser technology Oe

© No other laser can provide the precision,-
- control, accuracy and safety, of the UkraPulse: :

y ap yOU HAVE THE
RIGHT!

Speak to a lawyer right away....

It is imperative to receive expert legal ;
advice as soon after the charges as possible....
while your memory of the events is still fresh.

You have the right to an experienced lawyer...
One who can advise you of your options....
Point out the potential problems...

Help you deal with the significant penalties...

This isn't the time to go it alone....

We're here to help.

ARDAGH HUNTER
TURNER

Call for FREE initial consult
"300-1401 Lonsdale Ave. N.Van.

986-4366 AFTER HOURS

926-3181.

Order your copy now.

Call CHRIS CARTER
Financial Advisor

925-5565

Your RRSP Expert, 365 days a year.

MIDLAND
WALWYN

BLUE CHIP THIN KING™

COLONY |

HOME FURNISHINGS

1075 Roosevelt Crescent
North Vancouver
(2 blocks behind Avalon Hotel)
Open Daily Fri. 9-9; Sun 12-4
TM. BLUE CHIP THINKING is 3 trademark of Midland Walwyn Capita! inc. : - 22
Midiand Walwyn is a member of the Canadian Investor “rovection Fund. 9 8 5 : 8 73 8