It really would have been nice if the YVR-Canada Line was able to run 5 car trains by now. Unfortunately, due to inept transportation planning in the BC part of Canada, the stations were only designed to accommodate 2.5 car trains.
A 2.5 car train fits right in with a 3 lane Lion Bridge that was never augmented with parallel BRT and LRT train tunnels.
Backwards Vancouver and backwater BC, are some of the best places in the world to see inept multigenerational transportation infrastructure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emSr9NLwfT4
Unfortunately, the Broadway+Subway will only open with the potential of 5 car trains, not 10.
Unfortunately, the YVR-Canada+Line wasn't even designed to have 5 car trains, only a potential of 2.5 car trains, someday.
Of course the Massey+Tunnel+replacement wasn't designed to have an LRT and BRT section. Thus, in addition to the basic 3 lanes each way, there will be an express bus lane that might also be for other HOVs.
A separate BRT section would be beneficial since BC doesn't want to run 24hr trains. Thus, when the LRT is shutdown for maintenance, a 24hr BRT line could still be running. Unfortunately, part of the BC Mind Virus is backwards thinking and inept infrastructure planning. Of course there is still no official plan to have LRT from YVR to the Tsawwassen Ferry terminal anytime soon.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/highway-1-metro-vancouver-traffic-pattern-changes
Ultimately, this should be a 10 lane corridor between Horseshoe Bay and Hope. Plus, 2 BRT lanes, 2 LRT tracks, 2 HOV lanes and even the provision for a double track commuter rail line.
https://www.translink.ca/plans-and-projects/projects/rapid-transit-projects/bus-rapid-transit
https://www.surrey.ca/services-payments/parking-streets-transportation/surrey-bus-rapid-transit-brt
https://translinklistens.ca/bus-rapid-transit-program , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZXE9jaipF4
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bus-rapid-transit-translink-9.7055644
https://www.mapleridge.ca/your-government/city-council/maple-ridge-moves
https://vancouver.ca/streets-transportation/metrotown-to-north-shore-rapid-transit.aspx
Unfortunately, the Second Narrows Crossing wasn't designed to have a lower deck for BRT, or express busses and LRT. The bridge was never widened to 10 lanes, so there isn't enough space to have 2 proper BRT or express bus lanes and no HOV lanes. There was no proper planning to even have 2 emergency lanes or 2 wide shoulders.
https://www.translink.ca/plans-and-projects/projects/bus-projects/rapidbus-projects
https://vancouver.ca/streets-transportation/transportation-2040.aspx
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/george-massey-tunnel-new-replacement-cost-timeline-update
Of course with all the extra delays costs, there still won't be an LRT tube and no HOV lanes. While the new tunnel will be 4 lanes each way, there should have been an extra section for 2 LRT tracks and 2 rapid bus lanes. BC has a problem providing 24hr rapid rail transportation, so 24hr BRT is essential.
A 10 lane version of an Alex_Fraser_Bridge with a provision for LRT, could have been completed a few years ago. However, just because some people didn't want a bridge crossing that part of the river, the plan was scrapped. The result is more cost and delay in what should have been completed a few decades ago.
If ever a proper LRT and rapid bus crossing can be built parallel to the new tunnel, then that 8 lane tunnel could still have 3 general lanes each way, plus the 4th being an HOV lane. A parallel LRT and rapid bus needs to be built between Richmond and Delta so that there can be an efficient connection between YVR and the 2 ferry terminals.
Something like a Tilikum_Crossing between Richmond and Delta should have already been built decades ago, but there just isn't proper transportation planning in backwards BC.
Either an extension of an improved YVR-Canada Line, or an LRT like the C Train or MAX_Train. Since such a train won't be running 24 hours a day, there would need to be a Rapid bus_crossing as well. Such redundancy is important, especially if there is an occasional problem with the train. A Streetcar_Crossing would also be nice, because the Skytrain, LRT and BRT can't go everywhere. Where as express and local buses and streetcars can fill in the gaps.
Of course more bicycle and footpaths can be a great improvement.
https://jfdatalinks.blogspot.com/search?q=Richmond-Delta+Tunnel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T2bL1YPEVY
In contrast, unless Greater Vancouver builds a regional network of BRT bridges, it will mostly just be another half-assed transportation joke in backwards BC.
https://www.translink.ca/plans-and-projects/projects/rapid-transit-projects/bus-rapid-transit
https://www.portvancouver.com/project/second-narrows-dredging-works
A shipping bottleneck that needs to be dredged. An Iron Bridge that needs duplication or twinning, so that it can become a proper big city crossing with 2 truck lanes, 2 BRT lanes, 2 HOV lanes and 2 LRT tracks. A single track freight train bridge and tunnel that wasn't designed to be double width. Another example of a city, province and nation that can't seem to properly plan and build BIG for the future.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJtotvMq2ls
The Lion+Bridge will likely still not have an express bus and LRT tunnel near it. The+Iron+Bridge still might not have a proper BRT and LRT bridge next to it. The OSB and the KSB will likely not have a bus and bike bridge built beside them. There will still likely be no new Fraser Street Bridge for bikes and buses. No Boundary Road bridges to provide a direct link between the North Shore and Richmond for buses, trucks and bikes.
While the first 2 Skytrain lines will have 5 car trains, the stunted YVR-Canada Line will only have 2.5 car trains. Vancouver still might not permit any office tower to have a 40th floor, but might allow some residential towers to be on a Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane & Toronto scale.
However, BIG city thinking and planning in Vancouver has always been so difficult. Boston, SF and the City of Paris are ridiculously small cities like Vancouver with all 3 having a land area of less than 50 sq. mi. or 129.5 sq. km. Yet, Boston, SF and especially the City of Paris, have all been able to fit so much more into the same general space. That's because they aren't bound by anything like the inept and extreme Vancouver type restrictions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POcg0oFvVf8
The larger Portland, Seattle and the Vancouver, BC (V-BC) region has a lot of growth potential. However, Seattle size buildings haven't been allowed in Portland and in Vancouver, BC. Nothing like a 12 lane Ship Canal Bridge has been allowed in Portland and Vancouver. While Oregon and backwater BC haven't been able to thwart the largest city in Washington State, Seattle might eventually become more of a magnet in pulling more people into the area between Portland and V-BC.
Right now, Vancouver, WA (V-WA) still has a wider bridge than V-BC. Most of the V-BC bridges are so damn narrow that its not possible to have an efficient regional express bus network. As long as there is a refusal to build proper BRT bridges as part of a regional system, it remains a sad joke.
The Skytrain (LRT) was built with shorter stations than what the underground stations in Seattle and Edmonton are at. Whenever possible, the Skytrain stations are shorter than the C Train stations in Calgary, DART stations in Dallas and even the Max in Portland.
The biggest mistake of the Skytrain was to not build all of the stations with a future level clearance to eventually have Montreal Metro size stations of 500 feet or 152.5 m. Instead, the first 2 lines only have 80 m stations and the line to YVR (The Canada embarrassment Line) is only 50 m. Backwater BC logic is that a 5 car Skytrain could run twice as frequent as a 9 car Montreal Metro train. Someday, a 2.5 car YVR-Canada Line train could also run much more frequently than a 9 car Montreal Metro train.
There is just one key problem with that type of BC logic. While initially constructing short stations and having short trains can save money, its not proper BIG city size infrastructure. In the long run, it costs more to try to lengthen stations for longer BIG city type trains.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/future-vision-green-line-9.7230961
A bus bridge or bus link can be used whenever an LRT line is truncated, or yet to be completed. However, BRT is also used before the potential of putting in an LRT line.
Then there is an actual bus-bridge. When an existing bridge is too narrow for proper bus lanes, especially BRT, then a bus-bridge can be a big improvement.
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/linda-buchanan-north-vancouver-third-term
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/north-shore-burrard-inlet-vancouver-third-crossing-bridge
https://evelazarus.com/aborted-plans-a-third-crossing-for-the-north-shore/
https://evelazarus.com/third-crossing-here-we-go-again
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020TRAN0041-000351
https://council.vancouver.ca/010313/tt2.htm
https://evelazarus.com/saving-history-twinning-the-lions-gate-bridge
https://www.nsnews.com/opinion/letter-a-third-north-shore-crossing-wont-happen-3095100
https://movementyvr.ca/release-the-real-solution-for-metro-vancouvers-most-congested-crossing/
https://movementyvr.ca/r2-and-brt
https://viewpointvancouver.ca/2016/08/26/first-rule-for-a-third-crossing/
Unfortunately, due to the decades of inept regional transportation planning, no bus bridge or BRT tunnel was ever built next to the D Island Tunnel. While the new tunnel is supposed to have 2 bus lanes, there won't be any HOV lanes and especially no provision for LRT.
Ultimately, the YVR-Canada Line should be extended to Ladner and the Tsawwassen Ferry terminal. A special train bridge or tunnel should be built with a provision for 2 BRT lanes, since BC doesn't seem to want a 24hr Skytrain.
