Urban Tech Links: UTL
UTL is about exploring past, present and future urban technologies in science and fiction, etc...
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
The office stumps of Vancouver, BC
No office tower in Vancouver has eve been permitted to have a 40th floor.
https://skyscraperpage.com/b106925/vancouver/the-stack
https://skyscraperpage.com/b63/vancouver/royal-centre
https://skyscraperpage.com/b5828/vancouver/b5
https://skyscraperpage.com/b66/vancouver/park-place
https://skyscraperpage.com/b64/vancouver/four-bentall-centre
https://skyscraperpage.com/b65/vancouver/the-scotia-tower
https://skyscraperpage.com/b98113/vancouver/the-exchange
https://skyscraperpage.com/b67/vancouver/toronto-dominion-tower-at-pacific-centre
https://skyscraperpage.com/b41476/vancouver/b6
https://skyscraperpage.com/b100729/vancouver/vancouver-centre-2
https://skyscraperpage.com/b7191/vancouver/200-granville-square
https://skyscraperpage.com/b68/vancouver/three-bentall-centre
https://skyscraperpage.com/b6162/vancouver/320-granville
https://skyscraperpage.com/b60/vancouver/harbour-centre The office floors don't even get above 28. https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/vancouver/harbour-centre/4144 If the Harbour_Centre office floors had continued right up to the base of the flag-pole, it would be equivalent to 40 stories. However, the revolving_restaurant is more equivalent to 35 floors. With the height to the tip of the antenna as being 177.1 m (581 ft), the flag could be considered to be at the equivalent of 48th floors. But there are no floors in the flag-pole.
Had the flag-pole or antenna not been built, the Harbor Centre would have been slightly shorter than the original height of the tallest Giza_pyramid.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyramid_of_Giza "Initially standing at 146.6 metres (481 feet), the Great Pyramid was the world's tallest human-made structure for more than 3,700 years." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyramid_of_Giza#Pyramidion_and_missing_tip
https://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?searchID=117075754&page=1
Only 2 buildings in restrictive Vancouver have been allowed to be taller than the Cairo_Tower and the Space_Needle. Only 1 building in Vancouver has been allowed to be taller than the Calgary_Tower.
Vancouver is about implementing short buildings, short trains and narrow bridges. Since the multigenerational power structure can't build a wall around the city to keep people out, the next best thing is to symbolically take a small scale approach to things. Thus, its very difficult for proper BIG city stuff to get built in backwards Vancouver.
BC is 23 times larger than Switzerland, yet it doesn't even have the population of one CH.
Despite Canada being the 2nd largest nation in overall area, it has less than half of 1% of the worlds population. Thus, Canada is but a spec of the worlds population.
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Historic photos show Stanley Park more than 100 years ago
https://www.vmcdn.ca/f/files/via/images/historic-images/vancouverarchives/stanley-park-100-years-1920s-entrance.jpg;w=960;h=640;bgcolor=000000 A nice wide public walkway. Unfortunately, due to a lack of a proper big city vision, no 4-6 lane wide right of way was ever established through the park.
https://stanleyparkvan.com/stanley-park-van-road-stanley-park-causeway.html
The 3 lane wide option was never followed-up with a lower 3 lane tunnel. So, instead of 3 lanes each way, everything is funneled into just 3 lanes.
https://council.vancouver.ca/000203/pe3.htm Thus, no need to have a bridge designed to be strong enough to have at least two 3 lane decks.
In Vancouver and backwards BC in general, its very difficult to build infrastructure for long-range future capacity.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Stanley_Park_Labeled_Aerial_Map.png
After several generations, Stanley_Park has remained as a provincial gateway to backwater Vancouver.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Park#21st_century
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Columbia_Highway_99#Vancouver
While no one was able to stop the Horseshoe_Bay_ferry_terminal from being built, too many people still don't want Greater_Vancouver to have a proper big city train and highway link between West_Vancouver and Downtown_Vancouver.
Fortunately, the BCMV never made it to Sydney, NSW and SF, CA. Thus, their CBD or downtown has good rail and highway links.
However, it was almost like part of the Vancouver MV made it to Auckland, NZ.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland_Harbour_Bridge#Clip-ons_(1967%E2%80%931969)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland_Harbour_Bridge#Alternate_proposal A parallel bus, bike and train bridge should have been built decades ago. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Harbour_Crossing,_Auckland#2023_Waitemat%C4%81_Harbour_Connections_proposals
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/waitemata-harbour-connections
https://infrastructurepipeline.org/project/additional-waitemata-harbour-crossing
https://www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2026/05/27/build-this-brilliant-bridge
Sunday, August 2, 2026
Friday, July 31, 2026
Hottest days of Southern California heat wave
https://ktla.com/weather/southern-california-extreme-heat-high-surf
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/weather-news/la-heat-forecast-weekend-temperatures/3924118/
https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/los-angeles/90012/july-weather/347625 LA had 21 days that were at least 30 C.
https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/los-angeles/90012/august-weather/347625?year=2026
https://weather.com/en-CA/us/california/city/los-angeles/tenday
In record heat, a warming world has come to rely on Chinese air-conditioners
As the world warms up, Vancouver and Victoria still only seem to get 40 C temperatures a few days to a week out of each decade.
https://vancouver.weatherstats.ca/charts/temperature-yearly.html
https://weatherspark.com/y/476/Average-Weather-in-Vancouver-British-Columbia-Canada-Year-Round
https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2026/06/23/multiple-heat-records-set-monday-across-b-c Its so difficult for Vancouver and Victoria to ever reach 30 C, let alone 35 C and hardly ever 40 C.
https://www.accuweather.com/en/ca/vancouver/v6c/june-weather/53286?year=2026 Vancouver only had 2 days in June that were at least 30 C.
https://www.accuweather.com/en/ca/victoria/v8w/june-weather/47163?year=2026 Wow, Victoria actually has 3 days in June that were at least 25 C. Of course no 30 C days.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-heat-wave-august-14-2023-1.6935750 In 2023, despite a heatwave in BC, Vancouver and Victoria never reached 40 C.
Thursday, July 30, 2026
PM Carney says B.C. port expansion necessary to boost exports and independence
https://globalnews.ca/news/12003754/carney-port-of-vancouver-expansion-plans/
https://www.portvancouver.com/project/roberts-bank-terminal-2
https://www.canada.ca/en/one-canadian-economy/news/2026/07/port-of-vancouver-gateway-strategy.html
https://sustainableworldports.org/project/vancouver-fraser-port-authority-centerm-expansion-project/
https://www.portvancouver.com/business-and-projects/projects
Summer in Greater Vancouver
https://www.delta-optimist.com/highlights/vancouver-weather-edmonton-flooding-july-2026-12612951
Summer is only 3 months or about 90 days. Take the last week of May and the first week of September and you have a potential of 104 days. Unfortunately, many of those days aren't hot and dry, because a lot of warm and damp days get in the way.
According to AW, there were only 2 days in July that were at least 30 C. https://www.accuweather.com/en/ca/vancouver/v6c/july-weather/53286 Only 11 days in July got to at least 25 C.
There were only 2 days in June that were at least 30 C. https://www.accuweather.com/en/ca/vancouver/v6c/june-weather/53286?year=2026 There were only 11 June days that were at least 25 C.
Concord Pacific tower in Metrotown now weeks away from becoming Metro Vancouver's tallest building
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
A Commercial-Broadway rental housing tower might need to be redesigned for an additional SkyTrain station platform and pedestrian bridge
It looks like dailyhive.com might be the only local media to effectively inform people about this potential transportation infrastructure blunder. Vancouver has notoriously not properly planned things for future capacity. A proper big city Commercial-Broadway_station is essential, so there should be enough clearance for another platform, when its needed. Thus, any new structure should be designed to allow for extra station space. There is just something inept about infrastructure planning in Vancouver and BC in general.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/34/YVRBroadwayStn.JPG/1280px-YVRBroadwayStn.JPG Platform 4 and what should be a potential platform 6 just west of it.Vancouver City Council kills Villages Plan after fierce public backlash
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-villages-plan-rejected-city-council-decision
Vancouver is a very small city in area. Indeed, Vancouver, Paris, Boston and SF, are all less than 50 square miles in city area. Despite the City of Paris being slightly smaller than the C of V, Paris has 3 times the city population. Apparently, physics is different in backwards Vancouver than it is in Paris.
Unlike provincial Vancouver, Paris is still allowed to have some wide streets and a better road system overall. Plus, with so many interconnecting train lines, its easier to get around cosmopolitan Paris.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver The city has a land area of 115.18 km2 (44.47 sq mi)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vancouver#Geography
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Elizabeth_Park,_British_Columbia It is located on top of Little Mountain approximately 125 metres (410 ft) above sea level
https://en-ca.topographic-map.com/map-vzkpm2/Little-Mountain Little Mountain, elevation 125 m (410 ft)
Of course L.Mt. is shorter than Montmartre , because everything has to be shorter and smaller in provincial Vancouver.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_Vancouver_Regional_District 2,878.93 km2 (1,111.56 sq mi)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lower_Mainland 36,303.31 km2 (14,016.79 sq mi)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris 105.4 km2 (40.7 sq mi)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris#Geography
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montmartre It is 130 m (430 ft) high
https://www.unjourdeplusaparis.com/en/paris-insolite/plus-haut-point-de-paris it is in Montmartre that the highest point of the capital is located, culminating at 130.53 meters above sea level. That's 428.25 feet, so something in-between 428 and 430 feet above sea level.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Paris 814.2 km2 (314.4 sq mi)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%8Ele-de-France 12,012 km2 (4,638 sq mi)
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Will the Vancouver weather shift to hotter temperatures and more sunshine in August?
According to the AW August forecast, there won't be any 30 C days. https://www.accuweather.com/en/ca/vancouver/v6c/august-weather/53286?year=2026 There might only be 8 days that even get to 25 C.
The Vancouver forecast surer doesn't show any heatwave in August.
https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/anchorage/99501/august-weather/346835?year=2026
Perhaps Vancouver will be considered to be hot when compared to Alaska and Yukon, and that's pretty sad.
https://www.accuweather.com/en/ca/whitehorse/y1a/august-weather/51876?year=2026
You expect summer to be short in Alaska and Yukon, but its so truncated in Vancouver, because of the fall like rainy days that cut it down the sunny days.
Monday, July 27, 2026
Trio of tallest buildings in Vancouver greenlit by city council
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sT_DGhDfKE
The project should go through as planned. However, the city should have enough leverage to make sure the company to finally follow-through with an earlier agreement to provide low cost housing.
Record-breaking-Edmonton-faces-another-storm
Its not just Vancouver having crappy fall weather in the summer.
Western Canada's tallest tower, gets green light from Vancouver City Council
There was a time when Vancouver wasn't allowed to have any building taller than the Great_Pyramid_of_Giza, then Ulm_Minster and then the Philadelphia_City_Hall.
The Harbour_Centre had to be less than a 3rd of the CN_Tower.
The stations on the first 2 SkyTrain lines are barely 2 thirds of the length of a Montreal_Metro station.
The Canada_Line only has 50 m stations compared to the 152.5 m Montreal_Metro stations.
For too long, anything that is symbolic of a proper big city was watered down or scaled back in provincial Vancouver. Indeed, Vancouver was supposed to perpetually be a half-sized city, or even a third of what a proper size city should be. The mostly narrow bridges still have no parallel express bus bridge, or BRT bridge built next to them.
If the project actually gets built as envisioned it will be taller than First_Canadian_Place in Toronto, Columbia_Center in Seattle, and a little taller than the Sydney_Tower and the U.S._Bank_Tower_(Los_Angeles). It still won't quite be as tall as Australia_108 in Melbourne or especially the Salesforce_Tower in SF.
Major water tunnel project between Richmond and Delta put off a few years
Just like the new highway tunnel is pushed back to at least 2031.
There should have been better highway, LRT and freshwater crossings between Richmond and Delta decades ago. Unfortunately, in backwards BC, things take a very long time to get done and not always properly or efficiently.
Saturday, July 25, 2026
Detroit's Strange Highway System
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHIka2bRH6E
Detroit’s Tiny, Terrible Metro System loop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZOCVrUxXH4
This should have been a double track train loop. Then in a way, it could have been the Detroit version of the Chicago loop. However, unlike the actual Loop in Chicago, the Detroit loop wouldn't be connecting to a larger set of train lines. Perhaps Detroit should have just opted for a loop bus route instead.
Why Montreal’s shortest Metro line exists
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKI4DhIC2DY
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_Line_(Montreal_Metro)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDxX0HU3Srg REM
Unlike the 2009 YVR-Canada Line, which is still only running 2 car joke trains, La REM has 4 car trains. Hardly as long as a 9 car Metro train, but it can run with shorter headways.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_Line_(Montreal_Metro)#Proposed_extensions
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_Line_(Montreal_Metro)#Rolling_stock 6 car trains
Friday, July 24, 2026
Old Kai Tak Airport in HK
"The airport was designed to handle 24 million passengers per year, but in 1996, Kai Tak handled 29.5 million passengers, plus 1.56 million tonnes of freight..." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kai_Tak_Airport#Overcrowding_in_the_1980s_and_1990s
San Diego International Airport is spending $3.8 billion to rebuild Terminal 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxzWiH737xM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Diego_International_Airport
| Total passengers | 25,320,556 |
|---|---|
| Aircraft operations | 233,275 |
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Diego_International_Airport#Runway
B.C. to speed up current FortisBC Tilbury LNG expansion
TransLink's first European-made next-generation trolley bus to enter service in September
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/translink-solars-trolley-bus-enters-service-september-2026
Unless there is a regional plan to build proper bus-bridges, the bus system will have too many many bottlenecks and chokepoints on the mostly narrow bridges.
The 4 lane Cushing+Bridge in Calgary was too narrow and congested for efficient east-west fast buses. So, a parallel bus-bridge was constructed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17_Avenue_SE_(Calgary)#17_Avenue_Transitway
Stubborn, backwards Vancouver refuses to follow what Calgary and several other normal cities have done. Fortunately, the Vancouver Mind Virus never reached Calgary.
Concept for Western Canada's tallest tower in Vancouver may need to be shortened to comply with federal aviation requirements
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Bishop_Toronto_City_Airport
In addition to Toronto having much taller buildings than Vancouver, Boston and LV have buildings taller than the current tallest in Vancouver.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logan_International_Airport
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Reid_International_Airport
Once again, its like the Vancouver Mind Virus is getting charged up. Whenever a proper big city size project is planned the VMV interferes to stop or at lest water things down.
You can't have tall buildings in Vancouver, just like you can't have long trains or proper big city bridges.
Tight security bars public at Metro Vancouver board meeting with CAO absent
With public access restricted and CAO Jerry Dobrovolny absent, Metro Vancouver's board voted to reduce its size from 41 to 34 directors and distribute a $235-million wastewater plant settlement https://www.biv.com/news/economy-law-politics/tight-security-bars-public-at-metro-vancouver-board-meeting-with-cao-absent-12589967
A lot of people are PI$$ED-off as to how inept the financial management has gone.
https://globalnews.ca/news/11969430/metro-vancouver-cao-jerry-dobrovolny-could-be-on-way-out/
A North Shore $HIT-BOX with more than a 3 billion dollar overrun is a fine example.
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Major hotel and condo tower proposed for 1166 West Pender Street
Of course Vancouver still isn't allowed to have residential towers as tall as what's in Calgary and Seattle.
https://www.cedistrict.com/projects/marriott-hotel-residences
https://majorprojects.alberta.ca/details/Stampede-Station-Hotel-Residences/11793
https://skyscraperpage.com/b168430/calgary/w-calgary
https://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?cityID=3&status=15
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_buildings_in_Calgary#Proposed
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telus_Sky 222.3 m (729 ft) vs 201 m in Vancouver.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_buildings_in_Calgary#Tallest_buildings
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainier_Square_Tower 850-foot (260 m) vs 201 m in Vancouver.
https://skyscraperpage.com/b103432/seattle/rainier-square-tower
https://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?cityID=27&status=15
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_Shangri-La 200.86 metres (659 ft) so, almost 201 m is the imposed height limit for Vancouver.
Western Canada's tallest tower, topped off by a world-class observation deck attraction, would give Vancouver a striking new landmark
https://skyscraperpage.com/b165343/vancouver/595-west-georgia-street
Towers instead of stumps.
https://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?countryID=1&status=15
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_buildings_in_Vancouver#Timeline_of_tallest_buildings
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_buildings_in_Calgary#Timeline_of_tallest_buildings
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_buildings_in_Seattle#Timeline_of_tallest_buildings
Unfortunately, Vancouver has such an imposed watered down or scaled back approach to the size of things.
A 3 lane Lions+Gate+Bridge that still has no BRT, truck and LRT tunnel next to it.
The shortsighted YVR-Canada+Line. Instead of designing longer stations that could accommodate 5 car trains, the 50 m stations can only accommodate 2.5 car trains, some day.
Sunday, July 19, 2026
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Friday, July 17, 2026
Thursday, July 16, 2026
WMATA Metro Trains arriving and departing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkULs_7vgDA
https://www.wmata.com/content/dam/wmata-com/maps/system-map-rail.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Metro Daily ridership of 545,900 (weekdays, Q1 2026)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Metro#Busiest_days
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Metro#System
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Metro#Architecture
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Metro#Planned_or_proposed_projects
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Coquitlam’s Upcoming 60,000-Sq.-Ft. Aquatic And Community Centre
https://604now.com/fraser-mills-community-centre-coquitlam-renderings-2026/
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/fraser-mills-community-centre-coquitlam-design While an aquatic centre with a 25-metre, five-lane lap pool seems OK, it should have been designed for double the scale. Of course the rebuilt Vancouver Aquatic Centre will also just have a 25-metre pool, when it should be 50 m.
https://letstalkcoquitlam.ca/FraserMills
https://www.coquitlam.ca/1329/Fraser-Mills-Development
https://www.beedie.ca/residential/fraser-mills-master-planned-community/
Chicago From Above
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9qvItw6twM
Chicago’s Tallest Residential Tower https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RIPMLUIfmA
Richmond has announced that it is starting to roll out the new residential speed limit that’ll apply citywide.
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/richmond-drivers-speed-limit-30
While Richmond has a couple of freeways, having slower residential streets makes sense. However, the major streets and roads require faster speeds than a country road, but still slower than a freeway. Richmond has airport road traffic and lots of truck traffic between Vancouver, Delta & NW.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Monday, July 13, 2026
The missing element in urban infrastructure
If a bridge or tunnel is too narrow to accommodate bus and bike lanes, then a separate crossing should be built near it. Many bridges and highway tunnels don't have a provision for LRT or commuter rail, so then a rail crossing should be built near it.
https://jfdatalinks.blogspot.com/search?q=the+missing+element
Missed Connections in Transportation Infrastructure
https://www.reddit.com/r/geography/comments/1m2eav7/what_is_that_one_piece_of_infrastructure_that/
https://thecmigroup.ca/press-room/what-lurks-beneath-the-hidden-infrastructure-crisis/
https://www.mammoet.com/resources/urban-plannings-top-three-challenges-and-how-to-beat-them/
https://policyoptions.irpp.org/2017/11/the-five-is-of-failed-urban-planning/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264275125003075
https://metropolismag.com/viewpoints/scott-burnham-infrastructure-reprogramming/
https://jfdatalinks.blogspot.com/search?q=the+missing+element
Delta and Surrey road closures part of Metro water main project
The Delta, Roberts_Bank_Superport has the potential to be so much bigger than the inner Port of Vancouver Harbor. Unfortunately, there still seems to be no official plan to have an LRT link between YVR and the Tsawwassen_ferry_terminal.
Surrey is set to become the biggest city in BC and needs proper big city infrastructure.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrey,_British_Columbia#Economy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrey,_British_Columbia#Current_transportation_network
Saturday, July 11, 2026
SkyBridge between NW and Surrey, BC
Unfortunately, due to inept regional transportation planning, the SkyBridge (1990) wasn't built with any extra width for bus lanes, bike lanes and sidewalks. Everything was just expected to be crammed onto the inadequate, 4 lane Pattullo_Bridge, which only had 1 narrow sidewalk. Back in the day, there was no concept of allowing additional future space for 2 wide truck lanes, 2 car lanes and 2 bus lanes on the Pattullo_Bridge_in_1937.
It was as if someone really didn't want to ever have any bus lanes on the Patullo Bridge and the SkyTrain Bridge.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SkyBridge_(TransLink)#Details
Then, it was as if someone still didn't want to have any bus lanes on the Stalewasem_Bridge as well. Since the train isnt running 24hrs, a BRT crossing is important.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalewasen_Bridge This new bridge should have opened with at least 3 lanes each way, plus a bus lane each way. However, an 8 lane bridge with 2 wide emergency lanes and 2 wide shoulders would look too much like big city infrastructure. Big city scale infrastructure is difficult to establish in backwards BC.
The Vancouver Mind Virus (VMV)
Any time that something can be canceled, stunted, thwarted, watered down or scaled back, that's part of the VMV. Cost overruns and inept planning are also part of the MV.
The Vancouver+Mind+Virus (VMV) and the BCMV.
University Bridge (Seattle)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_Bridge_(Seattle)
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a2/University_Bridge_from_Ship_Canal_Bridge_-_01.jpg/960px-University_Bridge_from_Ship_Canal_Bridge_-_01.jpghttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ee/Seattle_-_University_Bridge_and_U_District%2C_1963_%2849561206388%29.jpg/960px-Seattle_-_University_Bridge_and_U_District%2C_1963_%2849561206388%29.jpg
The University Bridge and the Burrard+Street+Bridge in V-BC used to have 6 lanes, but 2 lanes were removed for bikes. In both cases, a bike bridge should have been built next to them. Then, they both could still have 6 lanes.
First Nation files court challenge against Burrard Inlet dredging project for oil tankers
Decades ago, there should have already been a North Boundary Road bus and bike bridge beside the Iron-Bridge. Since the Iron Bridge wasn't widened to accommodate 2 express bus or 2 rapid bus lanes, a North Boundary Road bus and bike bridge would have been a huge improvement.
Canada is on the same planet as Australia, but seems to be on a different world. Asia, Europe and the US just don't seem to have the same overlapping restrictions as Canada and especially, BC.
Greater Vancouver should be on a similar city and port level as Brisbane, but the provincial backwater BC mindset keeps holding things back.
If Burrard Inlet isn't a suitable location for the tankers, then another location must be found. BC remains as a provincial backwater on the Pacific Rim and Canada has less than 1% of the worlds population. If it were possible, there are those in Canada who would like to just shut out the world and even shut Canada down.
Australia hasn't been able to do so much more than Canada simply because it doesn't have half of the year stuck in cold, crappy weather.
Friday, July 10, 2026
tÉ™mÉ™sew̓txÊ· Aquatic and Community Centre (NW)
https://www.newwestcity.ca/parks-and-recreation/facilities/temesewtx-aquatic-and-community-centre an eight-lane 50 m pool, with dive tank and adjustable height floor
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/new-westminster-final-goodbye-canada-games-pool-1.6349916 In this case, nothing like the VMV was able to stop NW from having a new 50 m pool.
https://globalnews.ca/news/9172728/demolition-begins-new-westminster-canada-games-pool/
North Vancouver aquatic and community centre opens this month
While a 25m lap pool is OK for North Vancouver, its a joke for Vancouver.
https://www.dnv.org/parks-trails-recreation/new-community-recreation-centre-lynn-creek
https://www.hdrinc.com/ca/portfolio/delbrook-community-recreation-centre Delbrook is also only 25 m.
Of course the Vancouver Aquatic Centre rebuild with only a 25-metre pool, not matching its former 50 m. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-councillor-approve-aquatic-centre-funding-1.7565385
"What happens when a city completely ignores a binding voter decision and spends 65% more taxpayer money to deliver 50% less of what was promised?" https://cityhallwatch.wordpress.com/2025/07/30/vancouvers-vac-50meter-pool-betrayal-legal-crowdfunding/
Pay more, get LE$$, that's the backwards BC way.
https://www.canadianarchitect.com/vancouver-aquatic-centre/
The space & building was there for several decades with a 50 m clearance.
https://www.actonostry.ca/work/current/vancouver-aquatic-centre
Yet somehow, the new building will only have a half-length pool.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-aquatic-centre-court-injunction-9.7245890
Think small and build small, because its backwards Vancouver.
NV
V-BC
Tillikum Crossing or Bridge
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilikum_Crossing , https://trimet.org/tilikum Its not just a great bus and bike bridge.
The Oregon version of the Tilikum is so much better than any BC version, but it doesn't have to be. BC should be able to build first rate stuff as well.
https://www.cntraveler.com/activities/portland/tilikum-crossing This fantastic MAX-LRT and streetcar bridge is great for Portland. However, such a wonderful bridge almost seems impossible for Vancouver & Victoria, or anywhere in backwards BC.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tilikum+Crossing+Bridge
Of course the Victoria, BC (Saanich) version will be watered down.
https://roninearthworks.ca/construction-news/tillicum-bridge
https://victoriachamber.ca/government-local/new-trail-crossing-at-tillicum-will-ease-commute-time/
A Burnaby and Richmond Tillicum Bus and Bike bridge would be a great transportation link.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tillicum+St,+Burnaby,+BC
There isn't even a South+Boundary+Rd bus and bike bridge in the works. Yet, the transportation planners claim that an efficient regional express and BRT network can be established. Its just another watered down BC joke.
Victoria Bus and Bike Bridge in Brisbane
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Victoria+Bridge
Of course a bus and bike bridge makes sense in Brisbane & Calgary. That's why they aren't allowed in backwards Vancouver.
https://www.reddit.com/r/brisbane/comments/1e98dkr/the_busway_victoria_bridge_living_up_to_its_name/
Vancouver is so lacking with bus and bike bridges. Its an ongoing part of the+missing+element in transportation planning in BC.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Eleanor+Schonell+Bridge
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kurilpa+Bridge
https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Neville+Bonner+Bridge
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Goodwill+Bridge
While Queensland is on the same planet as backwards BC, it might as well be on a different world.
Greater Seattle’s Most Frustrating Freeway (I-405) Is Getting a $3 Billion Fix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFi4wBgCvw A freeway with BRT & HOV lanes can certainly move a lot more people.
In Chicago, a CTA train in the middle of the freeway always offers another option.
Story Bridge and Clem Jones Tunnel vs the inadequat LGB
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Story_Bridge 3 lanes each way.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clem_Jones_Tunnel (CJT) 2 lanes each way.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clem_Jones_Tunnel#Public_transport
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Story+Bridge
The+Missing+Element in backwards BC.
In contrast, Vancouver is stuck with a 3 lane LGB, with no parallel bus, truck and train tunnels. If visiting Vancouver from Brisbane, or almost any Australian city or town, you will be shocked. While Australia is allowed to have 3 big port cities on the Pacific Rim (Mel Syd & Bris), Canada has taken a Half-A$$ED approach.
While the Port_of_Prince_Rupert has a lot of potential, most of it remains as a watered down front.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Prince_Rupert#Conversion_to_an_intermodal_terminal
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Harbour_(British_Columbia)#Facilities
https://gvha.ca/deep-water-terminal/terminal-information/ V-BC has potential, but its also so scaled back or watered down.
Despite Victoria wanting to remain as a quaint provincial backwater, it should eventually become a proper port city like Wellington. https://www.centreport.co.nz/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CentrePort_Wellington#Containers
Port of Vancouver, BC.
The Gateway Bridges in Brisbane vs the SCB in Seattle
The Sir_Leo_Hielscher_Bridges provide a 12 lane Gateway crossing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Leo_Hielscher_Bridges#Duplication
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/Gateway_Bridge_aerial4.JPG No problem in Queensland.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Gateway+Bridge Its tough enough just to get a 6 lane bridge built in BC, let alone a 12 lane crossing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_Canal_Bridge (SCB) Its a 12 lane crossing.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/University_District_Seattle%2C_May_2024.jpg/960px-University_District_Seattle%2C_May_2024.jpg The SCB has 8 lanes on the upper deck and 4 lanes on the lower deck.
While Brisbane and Seattle are both on the Pacific Rim, backwards Vancouver, BC might as well be on another world. Brisbane and Seattle are allowed to function like proper big port cities, because they aren't hindered by anything like the VMV, or the Backwards BC Mentality.
If such a 12 lane crossing was allowed in Greater Vancouver it would mean that there could be 2 BRT lanes, 2 HOV lanes, 2 truck lanes and at least 6 general traffic lanes. However, the backwards BC approach is to funnel everything into just 2 or 3 lanes each way.
