BC United Leader Kevin Falcon is promising big things to North Shore voters ahead of the fast-approaching provincial election this fall.
Before heading to the polls on Oct. 19, he wants constituents to know that he has a “transformative” transportation plan aimed at fixing chronic traffic congestion faced by North Shore residents and commuters.
“The North Shore is a world-class community and North Shore residents deserve a world-class transportation system to match,” Falcon said at a press event in Stanley Park on Thursday. “Under David Eby’s NDP, we’ve seen countless studies without any action, and the few projects they do launch are way behind schedule and wildly over budget.”
Promised by Falcon and his political party is a new SkyTrain line to connect the North Shore to the broader Vancouver transit network. He also vowed to build a new, 10-lane Second Narrows Bridge with HOV lanes and active transportation, echoing previous statements that the new span is a “huge priority.” Falcon also promised “immediate, comprehensive” improvements to road and transit infrastructure.
Falcon said the SkyTrain infrastructure would be tied to the new bridge, and that expansion of SkyTrain service from Burnaby to Phibbs Exchange would be available on “Day 1” of the bridge opening, with a longer-term extension to Lonsdale and Park Royal in West Vancouver.
Other details include adding additional lanes at certain sections along the Upper Levels Highway, twinning the Capilano Bridge and adding more parking options near the SeaBus terminal.
Similar plans to replace the Ironworkers Bridge – which presented rapid transit options of SkyTrain, light rail and bus rapid transit – came to the public’s attention in May in a technical study commissioned by the District of North Vancouver.
In the short term, DNV Mayor Mike Little has said that commuters can expect bus rapid transit service over the Ironworkers by 2026, aided by a $300-million investment from the current provincial government.
DNV Mayor Mike Little expresses support for Falcon's plans
Any solution to the North Shore’s traffic “disaster” has got to be comprehensive if it is going to truly fix commutes for the people of North Vancouver, for drivers and transit users alike, said Caroline Elliott, BC United candidate for West Vancouver-Capilano.
“Our record shows that when we say we’re going to do something, we get it done, and this needed infrastructure will be no different,” she said.
Mayor Little expressed support for Falcon’s plans.
“I’m very pleased to see BC United committed to undertaking significant improvements to our transportation infrastructure here in the District of North Vancouver,” he said. “These investments are exactly what is needed to help alleviate the severe traffic congestion we face every day.”
In response to BC United’s promise of a SkyTrain expansion, North Vancouver-Lonsdale NDP MLA Bowinn Ma posted to X, formerly Twitter.
“Fantastic! It’s so wonderful to see other political parties commit to building on our [BC NDP’s] gov’s record investments in transit and recognize the local collaborative progress we’ve made through [the Integrated North Shore Transportation Planning Project] & [North Shore Connects] to put the North Shore Next for rapid transit,” Ma wrote.
Fantastic! It's so wonderful to see other political parties commit to building on our @bcndp gov's record investments in transit and recognize the local collaborative progress we've made through INSTPP & @NSConnects to put the North Shore Next for rapid transit. 🥰 #bcpoli https://t.co/uX7ZCfC2li
— Bowinn Ma (@BowinnMa) July 25, 2024
