Bridge

[Doug]

Does anyone know if they will build a bridge to Vancouver Island? I was reading in the newspaper a while ago, and they said a bridge would cost $8-$12 billion . I think they should just leave it the way it is. They did a report on a tunnel, but they said there could be a landslide in the Strait of Georgia, so it wouldn't be a good idea. The report said that ferries would be the best way to go . And, the Confederation Bridge links a whole other province. Vancouver Island is only a segment of British Columbia. They said the Vancouver Island crossing would be more than twice as long as the one to PEI, and over there, the water is only about 50 metres deep. Over here, it is 350 metres, with soft sediments of up to 450. I think they should just keep the ferries. Once this private company is done with there $2 billion plan, things will be alot better. AND, this company now pays for the ferries. If it was a bridge, the money would come out of your pockets .

[Koastal Karl]

All I have to say about a bridge is, NO WAY! That would suck, although it probably would be faster but it's not as relaxing as sitting on the ferry and not having to worry about driving. A Tunnel? What are they thinking?? That is even worse than a bridge, it's underwater, u dont see anything, it wouldent be scenic. Bad idea! I agree, they should stick with the ferries, a much BETTER way to go. I wouldent want to see anything replacing the ferries, they are a part of BC.

[TOOBAGOOBA]

Picture this

You need to get to the other side for a Family emergency and all Ferries are on Strike.

All of a sudden a bridge is not a bad idea after all isn't it?

[Doug]

If that ever happened, there would always be other ferries, air companies, or search and rescue choppers. If there was a bridge built, it would pretty much put BC Ferries out of service.

[noleaksyet]

QUOTE "Picture this

You need to get to the other side for a Family emergency and all Ferries are on Strike.

All of a sudden a bridge is not a bad idea after all isn't it? "


Picture this

You need to get to the other side for a Family emergency and all the bridge crews are on Strike.

All of a sudden leaving it alone is not a bad idea after all isn't it?
-Rick ;D

[Koastal Karl]

I actually dont think a bridge would put BC Ferries out of service as there would still be the gulf islands, northern, and sunshine coast routes which would still need ferries. We are just talking about one bridge. I think a bridge might get rid of one of the mainland routes. But would the people of Victoria benifit from having a bridge if they built one up island somewhere?? I wouldent drive up island just to go across on the bridge when I can take the ferry from Swartz Bay. The confederation bridge to PEI, is there still a ferry that goes to the island?? Cause I thought there was two ferry routes, before the bridge was built. If they are going to build bridges they should start with bridges to the smaller gulf islands like denman and hornby and quadra where is might be easy to build one.

[Doug]

Yes, there is a ferry route to Prince Edward Island still, but I imagine the old ferry company that operated to the Island had to sell out. Probaby more than 2/3 of BC Ferries service is on the Mainland - Vancouver Island routes. Another thing they were planning (I seen it on the Internet somewhere), was a fixed link across Howe Sound. I would prefer the Howe Sound link over the Vancouver Island link. If they have two bridges, one over Strait of Georgia, and Howe Sound, that will put BC Ferries out of service, and probably force them to sell. They can't just sell BC Ferries to a private operator, then build a bridge. That just wouldn't be right for David Hahn, ferry president. If they were to close the ferries after 60 years, when the ferries are taken away, I'd suggest start building the bridge from the Tsawwassen causeway to the Gulf Islands. Honestly, a bridge would not be my opinion. Ferries is the way to go. People complain over a single strike that costs them nothing, think what it will be like when the Canadian government takes $8-$12 billion for a bridge to Vancouver Island. Ferries would be the way to go. Plus, odviously BC Ferries carries alot of people, enough to be the second largest ferry services in the world, it just wouldn't be right to build a bridge, while they are that large.

[Koastal Karl]

They couldent just stop the ferries after 60 years if there was only two bridges, there would be the other routes, they cant shut down the gulf island services cause how are islanders going to get off the islands?? People complain about the ferries and the odd strike that occurs and ferries being delayed or cancelled cause of the weather. You think if we had a huge big windstorm that a bridge wouldent be shut down depending on how bad it was??? I know the confederation bridge has only been closed a few times cause of the weather. But I think the ferries are the way to go. They are too big now to shut them down.

[Doug]

There is a contract that lasts 60 years between the government and the private company. After the 60 years is over, and the government has no control over the ferries, the private company COULD move them to somewhere else in need of ferries.

[Doug]

Here is a report I found on the Internet, which personally, I wouldn't agree with: images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=www.th.gov.bc.ca/publications/reports_and_studies/fixed_link/graphic_c.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/publications/reports_and_studies/fixed_link/fixed_link.htm&h=446&w=576&sz=81&tbnid=LuC0r1dtGlkJ:&tbnh=102&tbnw=131&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dgeorgia%2Bstrait%26start%3D100%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26ie%3DUTF-8%26oe%3DUTF-8%26sa%3DN

[Koastal Karl]

Yeah, I have been to that link. Personally I dont agree with it either. I dont like the looks of that underwater tunnel. If we had a fixed link I would rather it be bridge than a tunnel. I dont think the gulf island residents would like the looks of some of those proposed routes across as some of them go right across Gabriola, Galiano and Saltspring Islands.

[Doug]

Maybe one day I will go out for a survey throughout British Columbia to see if they want a fixed link to Vanouver Island. I am very against is myself, and hope many others are as well.

[Brad]

Think of it..... Vancouver island would become just another suburb of Vancouver.... wheres the fun in that?

[DougNotLoggedOn]

Damnitt. I lost my password. I'd like to bring an ol' subject back to life. Who here thinks they should build a bridge or tunnel to Vancouver Island? I sure don't! There has been many private companies coming forward to the Provincial Government for plans for the bridge to Vancouver Island. Well all I have to say to them is. Damn you! Ehm...well back to the subject. The plans are to build a bridge from Richmond...the other would include whiping the Tsawwassen ferry terminal right off its artificial island to start a bridge from there. And I must correct myself earlier in this subject: "There is a contract that lasts 60 years between the government and the private company. After the 60 years is over, and the government has no control over the ferries, the private company COULD move them to somewhere else in need of ferries." Well, I didn't know what I was talking about. The ferries are returned to the Government after 60 years.... ;D