When I sit down with the candidates for the upcoming election, one key question on the planning drawing board for the town of Squamish will speak to whether they have a basic understanding of economics, safety, environment and vision.
To provide for the town’s future growth? Do you (A) support a bridge over the Mamquam Blind channel, or (B) fill in the estuary, to build a transportation gateway?
The one option, combined with a rail overpass provides a short direct route for commercial goods to come to and from our downtown/waterfront area. It provides direct response for emergency services. It has no environmental impact. It is designed in such a way that would provide a spectacular visitor entrance to the town. Imagine arriving to Squamish while descending into a spectacular surround sound of beauty. It would be the highway version of the gondola. You again hire Rick Harry of the Squamish First Nation to work his design magic details to the structure.
The other option provides a transportation route to the north, meeting Hwy. 99 at Industrial Way. The bulk of commercial traffic comes from Vancouver and this route would force traffic to several kilometres past downtown, then back-track to get to the business core. This option is being proposed as a duplicate dike (in order to secure federal funding), when the town should be concentrating any money on upgrading the existing downtown dike system. Massive environmental impact. Hidden away in the back of town where it will be underutilized, the downtown traffic jam continues to rise.
John Buchanan
Squamish B.C.
