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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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VICTORIA – The four-lane overland route has been selected to improve the West Vancouver segment of the Sea-to-Sky Highway because it will result in a safer section of highway that lasts longer and costs less than the one-km long, two-lane tunnel option that was also being considered, Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon announced today.
“As transportation minister, my number one priority has to be safety,” said Falcon. “The various engineering studies, the results of our community consultation and visits to the area have produced overwhelming evidence suggesting that the overland route is the safest and best option. It was a difficult decision because the District of West Vancouver preferred the two-lane tunnel option, however, I could not choose the option that was the least safe and was not supported by technical studies undertaken by leading external experts.”
Those studies determined that the overland route provides better value for taxpayers in every way including safety, reliability and capacity. The four-lane overland route was determined to be much safer than the two-lane tunnel because it will have fewer and less severe crashes. The tunnel option was projected to have double the number of fatal crashes. Accidents would be harder for emergency crews to reach in the tunnel.
At an estimated cost of $130 million, the overland route will cost $40 million less than the tunnel option and $6.5 million less to operate and maintain over 25 years. The overland route will accommodate traffic growth for 50 years compared to 25 years for the tunnel.
The ministry has received the results of a property appraisal commissioned using the terms of reference and an appraiser agreed to by the District of West Vancouver. The results of the appraisal have confirmed that the ministry’s budget is adequate for acquiring property needed for the highway improvement through West Vancouver and validates two earlier independent appraisals.
The two-lane tunnel and four-lane overland routes were submitted by the ministry for approval under the Environmental Assessment process following discussions with the District of West Vancouver. However, the district has since stated a preference for a four-lane tunnel, which would cost significantly more than the two-lane tunnel.
“The District of West Vancouver was asking us to spend approximately one-third of our $600 million budget on one km of road,” said Falcon. “That wouldn’t be fair to other corridor communities like Squamish and Whistler, nor would it be fiscally responsible for provincial taxpayers.”
The Sea-to-Sky Highway Improvement Project, including the overland route component, has been granted an Environmental Assessment Certificate under the B.C. Environmental Assessment Act and has received federal approval under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The environmental assessment included the review of project design issues, geotechnical issues, impacts to wildlife, vegetation, fisheries and aquatics, water quality, as well as noise and community impacts. It was determined that both the overland and tunnel options had environmental impacts that could be mitigated through the detailed design process.
“Just as West Vancouver would work hard to mitigate the environmental impact of their future development plans calling for 1200 luxury homes, a school, and a golf course in the same area, the Province will also make every effort to minimize environmental impacts,” said Falcon.
The ministry consulted with the District of West Vancouver and all other Sea-to-Sky corridor communities for two years. The ministry attended more than 350 meetings along the corridor, meeting with business, residents and other stakeholders. The ministry’s community consultation in West Vancouver found that the overland route was the most favoured option.
The overland route will begin east of Eagle Ridge and continue upslope from the existing highway, which will serve local traffic once the new route is completed. The ministry will continue to work with West Vancouver as the overland route proceeds through preliminary design and detailed design.
Construction of the overland route is projected to begin in 2005 and finish in late 2007.
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