City staff recommend $2 million to design Burrard Bridge rehabilitation, which will include permanent cycling barriers
Vancouver council will soon decide whether to support city manager Penny Ballem's recommendation to spend $2 million on designing a rehabilitation of the Burrard Bridge. Part of the plan will include permanent cycling barriers.
A report by assistant city engineer Jerry Dobrovolny goes to council's planning and environment committee on Thursday (July 8).
"Permanently installed barriers could consume less road space and be more aesthetically compatible with the bridge than the existing pre-cast concrete barriers," Dobrovolny wrote in the report.
He noted that the existing bike lane on the west side of the bridge could be widened.
Dobrovolny also wrote that the east sidewalk, which is used by northbound cyclists, provides "insufficient width" for passing over much of the bridge because the precast barriers have reduced the amount of space.
"Reconstruction in a permanent form may provide an opportunity to address this weakness," he added.
The money to pay for the design work would come from two sources. The "2010 closeout" of the 2006-2008 capital plan would provide $800,000, and the remaining $1.2 million has already been preapproved for cycling improvements in 2011.
The bridge is nearly 80 years old and there have been reports of chunks falling off the structure.
"This report seeks Council's approval to retain consultants to complete the design of permanent separated cycling paths on the Burrard Bridge in coordination with needed rehabilitation of the bridge," Dobrovolny wrote.
According to the report, this rehabilitation will include the complete replacement of the parapet railing, expansion joint replacements, deck testing and delamination survey, sidewalk testing, and sidewalk overlay design.
In addition, reconstruction will include restoration of concrete on the underside, localized bridge strengthening, electrical upgrades, and improvements to accessing the underside of the bridge.
Follow Charlie Smith on Twitter at twitter.com/csmithstraight.
Comments
46 Comments
disappointed in Vancouver
Jul 3, 2010 at 4:03pm
The caliber of engineering talent at the COV is disappointing to say the least. Most engineers tend to be low quality civil engineers whose lack of vision has hindered this city.
What value do the engineers at the COV provide if they have to sub-contract engineering services, then sit back and collect their very generous paychecks to "supervise the work"? I'm very disappointed at the type of people who we employ as engineers. They seem to lack any backbone and are easily manipulated by politics.
The correct solution is to spend the $63 million for a dedicated bridge rather than to waste another $2 million on a makeshift upgrade reducing bridge capacity and increasing GHG emissions. We have plenty of elected politicians at the COV and don't need our engineers pandering to them for brownie points.
Birdy
Jul 3, 2010 at 4:13pm
So... $2,000,000 to remove concrete barriers and then put "prettier" concrete barriers back in the same spot...
I'm running out of jokes, time to get these lunatics out of city hall.
Sorry
Jul 3, 2010 at 4:36pm
The answer is no.
why?
Jul 3, 2010 at 6:19pm
Few people use the bike lanes so why would the city waste more money on permanent lanes? Admit it was foolish, dismantle the barriers, and get the traffic moving again by September.
Darren T
Jul 3, 2010 at 7:16pm
I find it hard to believe that there isn't some project in the city worthier of $2 million in capital spending than making the bike lane barriers look nicer.
dhcongrave
Jul 3, 2010 at 7:40pm
This is $2,000,000 to design new barriers and then, how much will the new barriers cost. Where is austerity? The existing barriers are too wide and make the cycle lane too narrow for passing...boo hoo. Wait until you get to the end of the bridge to pass. How about a tricycle lane for those who fall over a lot? Maybe a dog walking lane? Does the city have so much money that it can keep paying for every little whim? Is the population so spoiled that they ask for everything that occurs to them? There will eventually be a taxpayers revolt and a serious move to Libertarian policies (see Colorado Springs in the US)
Dave
NDB
Jul 3, 2010 at 8:03pm
I cross hat bridge daily and never see more then a single rider if any. Such as waste. IMO money should be spent to add an extra lane, and the cost should be added on as a tax for new bike purchases.
pippatch
Jul 3, 2010 at 8:56pm
The COV comes up with another loonie idea. First they want to dismantle the viaducts which are used all the time, then they want to pretty up a little-used bike lane. Can't wait to hear about the next idea that makes all the other municipalities in the lower mainland chuckle.
Taxpayer
Jul 3, 2010 at 9:06pm
A very misleading article. The $2 million is also for design work on the rehabilitation of the bridge which needs to be done before it falls apart.
Greener than Green
Jul 3, 2010 at 10:13pm
I live in Point Grey and it takes me about 20 minutes to drive downtown. According to the report by the City of Vancouver in the link (dated July 8th or five days in the future by the way), the bike lane has increased my commute home by three minute.
This has increased my travel time by 15%, and as a result, my GHG emissions have increased by 15%, too. Does anyone at the City of Vancouver know what he or she is talking about when he or she spouts off about how the bike lane is making Vancouver Green?