144 replies to this topic

[DavidSchell]

A bridge across Saanich Inlet makes the most sense as an alternate to the Malahat and therefore will probably never happen.

 

True and True ... the needs of the few continue to out way the needs of the many when it comes to Victoria CMA politics. 

[VicHockeyFan]

Now Furstenau is talking about commuter buses over the Malahat.

Sigh... we already have them, they are far less expensive or stressful than operating a car, and they are wildly unpopular.

Edited by VicHockeyFan, 28 July 2017 - 10:14 AM.

[lanforod]

Discounting opposition/politics, I still think Salt Spring is a better overall route.

[Mattjvd]

Discounting opposition/politics, I still think Salt Spring is a better overall route.

I just don't see the traffic demand. I lived in Cobble Hill for years, and I certainly would still take the Malahat vs driving to Crofton to take the bridge. The same will go for Shawnigan/Mill Bay. All that's really doing is making it easier to get to Nanaimo or the North Island, and that's not a lot of cars.

[Bingo]

I just don't see the traffic demand. I lived in Cobble Hill for years, and I certainly would still take the Malahat vs driving to Crofton to take the bridge. The same will go for Shawnigan/Mill Bay. All that's really doing is making it easier to get to Nanaimo or the North Island, and that's not a lot of cars.

 

Like all other procrastination projects in the area the demand will be there by the time all the the nit-picking is over.

[Victoria Watcher]

Saanich Inlet gondola might be the solution

 

As a Malahat alternative solution, we could build a gondola across the Saanich Inlet with a constant rotation of pods transporting people across the arm efficiently.

 

This would require plenty of space for a base station and parking lot on either side of the inlet. On the peninsula side, there’s an empty lot directly east of the airport on either side of Willingdon Road.

 

On the Mill Bay side, there is a large vacant lot alongside the Malahat just south of Frayne Road.

 

A base station next to the airport would be massively beneficial; people could gondola directly to the airport or take a simple transfer to reach the ferries. Transportation network improvements would be relatively minor as both stations are already along hearty infrastructure.

 

Gondolas exist all over the world, spanning impressive distances (up to 7.4 kilometres). The longest cable-free span is in Whistler (2.8 km). The support towers could be few and far between, resulting in a relatively low impact to the affected communities and to the inlet itself.

 

A gondola provides an excellent tourist attraction that could actually provide income to recoup project costs. Think about all the gorgeous views to take in whilst suspended over the ocean, or even a misty sunrise over Mount Baker during an early morning commute.

 

This tourism aspect would complement the Malahat Skywalk nicely and open a network for walk-on ferry passengers to easily make their way to the lookout.

 

I’m a prime example of a Malahat commuter. Living in Cobble Hill, I commute it six days a week. A bridge is expensive and high impact, a train is neat but infrequent, so is the ferry.

 

Buses are not a solution in an emergency or highway shutdown. The only thing that would get me out of my car to commute would be a reliable, timely, high frequency solution.

 

A constant rotation of pods transporting commuters across the inlet quickly and reliably would be a convenient solution to the Malahat woes.

 

Dorian Redden
Cobble Hill

 

 

 

https://www.timescol...g-youth-4841750

 

 

Park the car.  Take the gondola.  Then what, at the other side?

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 08 December 2021 - 12:09 PM.

[Nparker]

...I’m a prime example of a Malahat commuter. Living in Cobble Hill, I commute it six days a week....

But what about those folks who don't need to get from Cobble Hill to Willingdon Road? You know, the 99.9% of all current commuters who live north of the Malahat.

[Victoria Watcher]

Indeed a Google search reveals the letter writer works on the Peninsula.  How convenient for them.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 08 December 2021 - 12:31 PM.

[baconnbits]

Saanich Inlet gondola might be the solution

 

As a Malahat alternative solution, we could build a gondola across the Saanich Inlet with a constant rotation of pods transporting people across the arm efficiently.

 

This would require plenty of space for a base station and parking lot on either side of the inlet. On the peninsula side, there’s an empty lot directly east of the airport on either side of Willingdon Road.

 

On the Mill Bay side, there is a large vacant lot alongside the Malahat just south of Frayne Road.

 

A base station next to the airport would be massively beneficial; people could gondola directly to the airport or take a simple transfer to reach the ferries. Transportation network improvements would be relatively minor as both stations are already along hearty infrastructure.

 

Gondolas exist all over the world, spanning impressive distances (up to 7.4 kilometres). The longest cable-free span is in Whistler (2.8 km). The support towers could be few and far between, resulting in a relatively low impact to the affected communities and to the inlet itself.

 

A gondola provides an excellent tourist attraction that could actually provide income to recoup project costs. Think about all the gorgeous views to take in whilst suspended over the ocean, or even a misty sunrise over Mount Baker during an early morning commute.

 

This tourism aspect would complement the Malahat Skywalk nicely and open a network for walk-on ferry passengers to easily make their way to the lookout.

 

I’m a prime example of a Malahat commuter. Living in Cobble Hill, I commute it six days a week. A bridge is expensive and high impact, a train is neat but infrequent, so is the ferry.

 

Buses are not a solution in an emergency or highway shutdown. The only thing that would get me out of my car to commute would be a reliable, timely, high frequency solution.

 

A constant rotation of pods transporting commuters across the inlet quickly and reliably would be a convenient solution to the Malahat woes.

 

Dorian Redden
Cobble Hill

 

 

 

https://www.timescol...g-youth-4841750

 

 

Park the car.  Take the gondola.  Then what, at the other side?

What a terrible idea.

 

build a floating bridge or build a new road.

[Mike K.]

We really are living in a twilight zone.

[Victoria Watcher]

We really are living in a twilight zone.

 

A tourism gondola between first nations reserves would be quite spectacular, but it would need to come from the Malahat on that side.

[Victoria Watcher]

P.E.I. premier asks Ottawa to drop Confederation Bridge toll to $20




Prince Edward Island Premier Dennis King is calling on the federal government to support reducing the toll on the Confederation Bridge by 60 per cent, so that it sits at $20 by September.

King spoke with federal officials about decreasing the amount it costs to cross the bridge to New Brunswick in November, and then sent a letter on Dec. 9 to Dominic LeBlanc, Canada's minister of infrastructure and a New Brunswick MP.

The current regular car toll of $50.25 on the bridge is not affordable for Islanders and Island businesses, said King. He would also like to see the cost of taking the ferry between P.E.I. and Nova Scotia drop to $20.

https://www.cbc.ca/n...quest-1.6713824

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 14 January 2023 - 02:53 AM.

[Matt R.]

Would be nice if they could spruce it up a little too. Maybe some flower baskets and murals.

[Victoria Watcher]

WATCH: Entire Section of China’s Newly Opened Bridge Collapses, Crashing Into River Below

 

https://www.yahoo.co...-152845348.html

[splashflash]

Another letter to the editor - this one proposing a tunnel

https://www.timescol...ilings-11571261

Letters Dec. 4: Tunnel could be B.C.'s major project

No ferries, no bridge, let’s have a tunnel
The world’s longest and deepest undersea road tunnel is being built in Norway, intended to cut travel time between major cities and become part of a ferry-free highway along its western coast.

The 27-kilometre (17-mile) long tunnel is called Rogfast, the Norwegian word for “fixed link.” At its deepest, it will be 392 metres (1,286 feet) below sea level.

Some recent internet stats: Canada has a GDP of $2.24 trillion compared to $484 billion for Norway, ranking 9/197 and 32/197 by economy size, respectively.

If Norway can do it, how about our great Canadian nation? Jobs would eventually be lost from ferry closures; however, a stable crossing link would create access for other jobs.

Some positive effects include reduced logistics costs to and from the Island and significant employment during the construction phase.

I’m sure eliminating ferry traffic across our Georgia Strait would be healthier for the ocean environment and coastal whale population.

With the growth of AI and our country’s bright young minds, our provincial government could create a countrywide competition for a cost-effective crossing design, offering a $5 million endowment to the Canadian university that presents the best project.

Imagine, no more major ferry lineups, the only ferries needed will be for our smaller islands, and B.C. Ferries has that covered.

Maybe our premier can get Ottawa to kick in $5 billion for a nation-building tunnel/link, since we are being so accommodating with an additional pipeline. It’s at least a 10-year project; we can start anytime.

Steve Hertling

Qualicum Beach

[Victoria Watcher]

I think tunnel can’t work due to seismic.

[splashflash]

I think tunnel can’t work due to seismic.

Yes, if not cost. MoTT has a page on this:
https://www2.gov.bc....land/fixed-link

The page is updated to Nov 24th, so they must be getting queries again.

[dasmo]

No thanks.

[Mike K.]

Is he referring to the Saanich Inlet, or Georgia Strait?

Also, I have discovered that people not raised on the Island, constantly refer to being on an Island. Dead giveaway. It’s Island this, Island that.

[dasmo]

It costs the government $10k to shoot a deer. This would cost us a trillion dollars and most would go to foreign companies. Inflation would follow and we would never see it built in our lifetime. The ferry is fine. It is our primary defence.