What's Happening in North Vancouver, BC…

The province of British Columbia will be launching a feasibility study looking into establishing a rapid transit route between Vancouver and the North Shore.

The move was hailed by many as a positive development, including North Vancouver Mayor Linda Buchanan, who described herself as “ecstatic.” The proposed system would aim to address the traffic congestion caused by the many people who work in North Vancouver but live elsewhere. Buchanan estimates that the municipality’s population swells by as much as four times during the work day, creating jams at the beginning and end of the day.

The study is still in its early stages, but options include tunnels, bridges, and increased ferry service. Some residents have proposed a link between Waterfront Station and Lonsdale Quay, but technical challenges could prove daunting. Launching a new transit route is a difficult and lengthy process. Governments often use poster printing, social media, flyer printing, and word of mouth to raise awareness of developments in the project and the opening of the eventual service.

The first stage of the study is expected to be completed in September or October, with the full report released in early 2020. The project is funded by the provincial government as well as the municipalities of West Vancouver, North Vancouver, and the North Vancouver region. This area has not seen a new major inter-city service since the Seabus in 1977.