Editor: re: “Politically wedded to an outdated plan” and “Balance must be struck between infrastructure and growth,” (the Times, Jan. 18).
There is the problem — a municipality that is and has been trying to improve the infrastructure, versus the regular resistance to any movement in this regard.
I was at the council meeting on Nov. 21, and can say that I have never seen any citizen treated dismissively or contemptuously (nor) disregarded, or belittled at any council meeting.
Mayor Froese did point out at that meeting that the plan, many years ago, for the Golden Ears Bridge and connecting roadways was originally going to be farther east on the Fraser River, which would have resulted in much heavier traffic and busy connection roadways in this same 216 Street area.
The proposed interchange with north/south access is many times smaller than what could have been.
The master transportation plan of 1988 did mention the 216th connection almost 30 years ago.
I bought a property in Langley in 2010 and heard a rumour about an interchange back then, which I thought was a progressive and forward-thinking plan that would cut time and congestion and improve safety, and I still think this is a good plan.
The protesters that were at the meeting were not willing to listen to council’s agreement to measures being proposed, like fences, sound-absorbing panels, traffic signage and signals to appease them.
One speaker made a shockingly wild prediction that one child per year would be killed if this interchange was built.
I could not fathom how anyone could make such an outlandish claim and still be expected to be considered to be serious.
These people in opposition seem to want to ignore the current steady line of stalled traffic along the 200 Street, 208 Street and Highway 1 to the 264 Street corridor.
When I reflect on how SkyTrain was rammed through east Vancouver backyards, I can’t help but think of the lower assessed values of their land coupled with the unending noise and mental anguish from trains rumbling though their properties at the expense of a cheaper and inferior way to move people though the city.
I say this after a post on Facebook I saw last week showing how wholly inadequate our rapid train systems are (non existent) compared to high speed trains of the world.
Perhaps if the same fervour were applied in seeking a proper high-speed rail connection from the valley into the city, these planned expansions to unclog the roadways would not be necessary.
The natural and most logical route would be to look to the past, with the rail system that was planned and operated through Langley and all the way out to Chilliwack/Sumas in 1891 — well over 100 years ago.
That’s right, folks, an electric railway line.
Perhaps a free joy ride for your children, with an added $5 cost for adults on the Fraser Valley Heritage Railway would inspire you and more folks to learn the history of the long forgotten and efficient B.C. Electric Railway and its routes all through the GVRD.
I often say to myself when confronted with a modern problem, “What did they do 100 years ago?”
Usually, that opens up a clear channel to a quick and bright solution.
Keith Garrow,
Langley
