Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Europe's Biggest Airport Expansion is (Finally) Complete

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx7nUpDec1Q

A glowing glass CTA shell is about to appear over one of Chicago's busiest streets.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrskuMTeUKA

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. 

Toronto's Skyline

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es-8mBA99JY

35-storey hotel and condo tower approved next to Robson Square in Downtown Vancouver

 https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/807-819-hornby-street-908-948-robson-street-vancouver-reliance-hotel-approved

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Metro Vancouver's smoky skies

https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/local-news/metro-vancouver-wildfire-smoke-aug-2026-12625815

 https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/local-news/metro-vancouver-weather-forecast-hazy-sunshine-aug-2026-12626692

Historic photos show Stanley Park more than 100 years ago

 https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/local-news/historic-photos-show-stanley-park-more-than-100-years-ago-12623887 

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.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c2/Lions%27_Gate_Bridge_1938.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=index&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled 

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/Lion%27s_Gate_Bridge_and_North_Vancouver.jpg/1280px-Lion%27s_Gate_Bridge_and_North_Vancouver.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=index&utm_content=thumbnail 

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

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Vancouver_Metropolitan_Area%2C_2018.jpg/3840px-Vancouver_Metropolitan_Area%2C_2018.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=index&utm_content=thumbnail 

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 

https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/04-06-2026/privately-funded-second-auckland-harbour-bridge-unlikely-to-achieve-value-for-money-nzta-report-warns

Major riverfront park expansion opens at the foot of New Westminster's new tallest building

 https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/new-westminster-pier-park-expansion-fraser-river-waterfront-bosa-development

Friday, July 31, 2026

Metro Vancouver weather at the start of August

 https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/local-news/metro-vancouver-weather-thunderstorms-august-2026-12618550

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

 https://www.accuweather.com/en/climate/in-record-heat-a-warming-world-has-come-to-rely-on-china-to-stay-cool/1917424 

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://vancouver.citynews.ca/2026/07/30/carney-touts-b-c-port-expansion-plan-to-strengthen-independence-diversify-economy 

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/port-of-vancouver-gateway-strategy-roberts-bank-terminal-2-major-projects-office

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

 https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/concord-metrotown-sky-house-metro-vancouver-tallest-building-construction-progress 

https://skyscraperpage.com/b114729/burnaby/grand-tower-at-sky-park 

https://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?cityID=31 

https://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?cityID=31&status=15 


https://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?stateID=1 

https://skyscraperpage.com/diagrams/?stateID=1&status=15

Delta's landscape will change with Alberta oil pipe

 https://www.delta-optimist.com/local-news/heres-how-deltas-landscape-will-change-with-alberta-oil-12581768

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

A Commercial-Broadway rental housing tower might need to be redesigned for an additional SkyTrain station platform and pedestrian bridge

 https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/skytrain-commercial-broadway-station-rental-tower-additional-platform-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. 

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/Commercial_Broadway_Expo_Line_Platform_5_2025.jpg/1280px-Commercial_Broadway_Expo_Line_Platform_5_2025.jpg Platforms 3 and 5.

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)

Nearly 2.8 million passengers recorded at Vancouver International Airport during FIFA World Cup

 https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-international-airport-yvr-fifa-world-cup-statistics 

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/translink-fifa-world-cup-fan-festival-express-bus-route-ridership

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Will the Vancouver weather shift to hotter temperatures and more sunshine in August?

https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/local-news/metro-vancouver-weather-august-long-weekend-2026-12601648 

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. 

The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE)

 https://www.cnu.org/highways-boulevards/campaign-cities/nyc-BQE 

https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/infrastructure/bqecentral.shtml 


https://jfdatalinks.blogspot.com/search?q=BQE

Monday, July 27, 2026

Planned 30-storey hotel tower next to Marine Drive SkyTrain station in Vancouver

 https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/8555-cambie-street-vancouver-hotel-tower-breka-bakery-cafe

Western Canada's tallest tower project to move ahead in Downtown Vancouver

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKuZbEE5cco 

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/holborn-vancouver-western-canada-tallest-tower-bay-parkade-redevelopment-approved

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. 

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/holborn-vancouver-western-canada-tallest-tower-bay-parkade-redevelopment-approved

Record-breaking-Edmonton-faces-another-storm

 https://www.theweathernetwork.com/en/news/weather/forecasts/record-breaking-edmonton-summer-faces-another-storm-threat-canada-rain-lightning 

Its not just Vancouver having crappy fall weather in the summer.

Western Canada's tallest tower, gets green light from Vancouver City Council

 https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/holborn-vancouver-western-canada-tallest-tower-bay-parkade-redevelopment-approved 

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. 

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/holborn-bay-parkade-vancouver-supertall-tower-nav-canada-federal-aviation

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

 https://www.westerninvestor.com/british-columbia/major-water-tunnel-project-between-richmond-and-delta-put-off-a-few-years-12580852 

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 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kai_Tak_Tunnel

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 passengers25,320,556   
Aircraft operations233,275

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Diego_International_Airport#Runway

B.C. to speed up current FortisBC Tilbury LNG expansion

https://www.delta-optimist.com/local-news/bc-to-speed-up-current-fortisbc-tilbury-expansion-musqueam-an-equity-partner-12590418  

https://vancouversun.com/news/province-bypasses-utilities-commission-on-key-certificate-for-tilbury-lng-project 

https://www.biv.com/news/resources-agriculture/bc-to-speed-up-current-fortisbc-tilbury-expansion-musqueam-an-equity-partner-12590418

https://globalnews.ca/news/11987912/delta-tilbury-lng-expansion-project-green-light-bc

https://projects.eao.gov.bc.ca/p/5df7f1bfb7434b002164961c/project-details 

https://talkingenergy.ca/project/tilbury-phase-2-lng-expansion-project

https://www.fortisbc.com/lng/liquefied-natural-gas-(lng)-facilities 

https://stand.earth/resources/stoptilbury/

Chicago's Hidden (CTA) Train Line

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGESGf_Hztc&lc=Ugw4x33R8saQC3h6HJB4AaABAg

Security concerns flagged as B.C. port tapped for possible fast track

 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/port-of-vancouver-expansion-security-concerns-9.7278448

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. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAX_Purple 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAX_(Calgary)

Concept for Western Canada's tallest tower in Vancouver may need to be shortened to comply with federal aviation requirements

 https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/holborn-bay-parkade-vancouver-supertall-tower-nav-canada-federal-aviation 


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. 

Metro Vancouver Regional District to shrink board size by 25%, create new oversight for major projects

 https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/metro-vancouver-regional-district-board-size-major-project-oversight

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/ 

https://www.facebook.com/nwprogress/videos/what-do-you-do-as-chair-of-the-board-when-your-two-most-powerful-members-write-a/1180559684216715/  

A North Shore $HIT-BOX with more than a 3 billion dollar overrun is a fine example.

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Major hotel and condo tower proposed for 1166 West Pender Street

 https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/1166-west-pender-street-vancouver-hotel-condo-tower-reliance-hines-2026-concept 

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://dailyhive.com/vancouver/western-canada-tallest-tower-downtown-vancouver-skyline-natural-setting-change 

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.

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

Ranking the Top 50 US Skyscrapers from the Past 50 Years

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsahC79eEog

Built Too Thin?

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwDDihSijzk

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.

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://infrastructureinstitute.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Missed-Connections-Final-Report-2025-02-11.pdf

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

 https://www.delta-optimist.com/local-news/delta-surrey-road-closures-part-of-metro-water-main-project-12516337 

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

Vancouver real estate developer behind Major League Baseball bid

 https://www.biv.com/news/economy-law-politics/vancouver-real-estate-developer-behind-major-league-baseball-bid-12542032 

A potential location? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrlKX0J5if0

Saturday, July 11, 2026

What Will New York Look Like in 2040?

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3reczGxjZZc

LA’s ‘No-Car’ Olympics Plan Explained

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT1WO8zWk7o

The three tunnels that could transform Manchester

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37XIzUSWzHc

Singapore is Finally Finishing Marina Bay Sands

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUCsENcaoqo&t=83s

Chicago’s New Lakefront Skyscraper | 400 Lake Shore

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ1Cfe80sPM

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. 


Scott Road station and R6 Scott Rd Bus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Road_station 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R6_Scott_Rd 

https://www.translink.ca/schedules-and-maps/route/r6/direction/1/map?pageSize=5


King George station, Surrey, BC

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_George_station 

https://www.translink.ca/schedules-and-maps/route/r1/direction/0/schedule 

https://www.translink.ca/schedules-and-maps/route/r1/direction/0/map?pageSize=5

King George Square busway station, Brisbane

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_George_Square_busway_station

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.jpg
https://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.  


https://jfdatalinks.blogspot.com/search?q=Seattle

First Nation files court challenge against Burrard Inlet dredging project for oil tankers

 https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/burrard-inlet-second-narrows-oil-tanker-dredging-first-nation-court-challenge 

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.

https://thehub.ca/2026/07/08/can-the-port-of-vancouver-handle-supertankers-a-closer-look-at-the-other-megaproject-inside-albertas-pipeline-proposal/

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.


Judge rejects Richmond developer's request to reopen Cowichan Aboriginal title case

 https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/montrose-properties-richmond-cowichan-tribes-aboriginal-title-justice-young 

https://www.richmond-news.com/local-business/richmond-landfill-turned-industrial-centre-recognized-for-innovative-brownfield-redevelopment-9930831

https://www.ricindustrial.com/ 

https://www.collierscanada.com/en-ca/news/more-high-profile-tenants-expected-as-richmond-industrial-centre-set-to-expand

Friday, July 10, 2026

NYC Redesigned 4 of Its Dangerous Streets

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOKAPN5vMEY  



NYC

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

 https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/harry-jerome-community-recreation-centre-north-vancouver-july-2026-opening-date 

While a 25m lap pool is OK for North Vancouver, its a joke for Vancouver. 

https://www.cnv.org/City-Hall/About/Capital-Projects/Harry-Jerome-Community-Recreation-Centre/About-the-Centre 

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.

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/a-betrayal-swimmers-head-to-court-seeking-to-block-aquatic-centre-downsizing

https://www.reddit.com/r/vancouver/comments/1ufe9gs/tbt_rip_vancouver_aquatic_centre_may_3_1974_june/


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://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation-projects/other-transportation-projects/tillicum-active-transportation-bridge-project 

https://victoriachamber.ca/government-local/new-trail-crossing-at-tillicum-will-ease-commute-time/

https://www.google.com/maps/search/transportation+bridge+across+Tillicum+Road/@48.4463043,-123.4007762,121m/data=!3m1!1e3!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDcwOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D 


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. 



https://jfdatalinks.blogspot.com/search?q=Seattle

Why Chicago is Spending $4B on One Road

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnPENmzivE0 


https://jfdatalinks.blogspot.com/search?q=Chicago

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 Wellingtonhttps://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/6/69/Ship_canal_bridge_and_downtown_skyline%2C_2000.jpg
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.

6 lanes, plus 2 train tracks

https://www.google.com/maps/place/18B+Howard+Smith+Dr,+Port+Of+Brisbane 


Brisbane got it right and Vancouver got it wrong. Both are major Pacific port cities, but the Vancouver version is watered down.


https://www.google.com/maps/place/Iron+Workers+Memorial+Bridge 6 lanes, but should have been 8-10 lanes by now.  

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Thornton+Tunnel+North+Entrance Its only a single track tunnel and freight train bridge. Any major seaport region should have double track bridges and tunnels.



The New_Westminster (rail)_Bridge should have opened with 2 tracks and had enough future width for a 3rd track.