Port Mann / Gateway response - June 16,2006

ARTICLE IN TRI CITY NEWS RE: GATEWAY

Unfortunately, the one thing the reporter didnt mention is that I put forward this motion and invited council to make any suggestions, recommendations, or amendments - nobody did, and yet three voted against. I never expected this motion to pass in its entirity, as I would have thought some members of council would have objected to certain aspects of it.

I had sent this to all council a week prior to the meeting and invited their feedback at that time, and the one item I did receive from Couc. Rockwell was included in the motion approved.

I would not consider changing the resolution simply to make it shorter - there are many important aspects of the Gateway project that will affect us for the rest of our lives... If Translink and GVRD board and staff members cant read more than two sentences, then I guess we have a real problem !


By Sarah Young
The Tri-City News
Jun 16 2006


Expanded HOV, Pattullo improvements sought


Port Moody Coun. Mike Clay added his two cents - and then some - on the Gateway issue with a lengthy motion presented at Tuesday’s city council meeting.

The motion, which was carried, essentially states that Port Moody supports the Gateway proposal as long as several conditions for transit, HOV lanes and funding for municipal road infrastructure are met first.

Councillors Karen Rockwell and Bob Elliott, along with Mayor Joe Trasolini, voted against the motion.

Trasolini said it was simply too long while Coun. Meghan Lahti, who voted for it, questioned whether anyone at TransLink would read past the first line, which states, “The City of Port Moody generally supports the... Gateway program.”

Clay defended his motion by saying that it was better to put forward a comprehensive position now, while the Greater Vancouver Transit Authority is looking for input on Gateway, than in the future, when it may be too late.

“If you don’t say everything now, they can always come back to you later and say, ‘Well, you didn’t say anything about that aspect,’” he said.

The motion, in its entirety, is as follows:

THAT the City of Port Moody generally supports the GVRD and Translink staff positions on the Gateway program, specifically:

-that expanded capacity of Highway 1 east of the Port Mann bridge include dedicated HOV and transit lanes

-that any expanded capacity of the Port Mann bridge include dedicated HOV, transit and truck lanes, future potential for LRT, and that tolling is introduced

-that the Gateway program must include improvements for the Pattullo bridge, particularly if it is to be offered as a “free alternative” to a tolled Port Mann

-that improvements at the Pitt River bridge crossing include dedicated capacity for HOV and transit

-that the province assume responsibility for the GVTA portion of the North Fraser Perimeter Road

-that the province increases funding for the Evergreen Line LRT project to a minimum contribution of 50%

-that the Gateway program must include budget allowances for upgrades to MRN roads, municipal roads and transit/cycling networks affected by the program, and that the provincial government work with GVTA and municipalities to identify and address those impacts

-that the provincial government creates a sustainable funding model to support the maintenance of the Gateway infrastructure.

IN ADDITION, the City of Port Moody has specific concerns in regards to the Gateway program and the impact on our region, specifically:

-that ALL aspects of the Gateway program include maximizing opportunities for HOV, transit, and cycling opportunities

-that implementation of tolls on any of the region’s roads include allowances and discounts for HOV traffic, and alternative energy or “clean” vehicles

-that impacts on agricultural and green spaces are minimized

-that the GVTA complete the Murray Clarke connector to accommodate the increased demand on this corridor from the North Fraser Perimeter Road capacity increases

-that the GVTA study options for increased rail transit service through the North East sector, out to Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows

-that the GVTA investigate options for increased commuter rail service from the Fraser Valley area (Port Mann East) into New Westminster utilizing the existing interurban rail route similar to the agreement governing the West Coast Express line

-that bus service connecting the Surrey Town Centre to Coquitlam or Lougheed Town Centre be planned for the Port Mann/Highway 1 improvements, including dedicated “queue jumping” lanes and other “express” mechanisms

-that the concerns for accommodating increased truck traffic and waterfront access in the City of New Westminster are considered with the Gateway project

-that the concerns regarding the route selection in Delta, and specifically the impacts of Burns Bog are addressed

-that “green” (environmentally friendly) initiatives are employed wherever possible in the design and construction of all aspects of the Gateway program.