Highway 1 beyond Surrey, in contrast, is less significant in the latter
two regional growth options. In Option 2, there could be improvements made to
Highway 1 between Vancouver and Surrey. However, additional east-west
connectors north of the Fraser River or major upgrading of the Lougheed
Highway would be needed to accommodate growth in the North Fraser Valley.
Option 3 would require expansion or improvement of Highway 1 and other major
routes between Surrey, the Tri-Cities and Vancouver City to maintain efficient
movement of a more concentrated population.

In addition to the divergent impacts of the three regional growth options
on the Lion's Gate Bridge and Highway 1, there are other potential conflicts
with some of the "Creating Our Future" regional policies.

Policy 21, for instance, emphasizes the need to pursue ways to encourage
more use of the public transit system. Policy 8 proposes to implement a
regional air quality and transportation strategy to reduce growth of airborne
emissions by discouraging the use of the automobile. Any expansion of the
Lion's Gate Bridge or Highway 1 appears to contradict these policies by
facilitating the use of automobiles.

Policy 8 of "Creating Our Future" proposes the development of a regional
open space and nature conservancy program. Any expansion of the Lion's Gate
Bridge would require additional lands in Stanley Park to be taken away to
accommodate a wider causeway. The expansion of, or creation of new, highway
routes could also impact upon the natural environment or encroach upon
Regional Green Zone areas.

Given the number of directions for regional growth and the apparent
conflicts with regional policies, any final decision to expand the Lion's Gate
Bridge or Highway 1 may be premature. There is a pressing need to complete
the Regional Plan in order to forma basis for decision-making on items of
regional significance. Therefore, it is recommended that while the future of
growth for the region remains uncertain, there should be no major expenditures
on the Lion's Gate Bridge or Highway 1 at this time. The direction of
regional growth must be clear and receive mutual consensus so that major
capital projects are undertaken in a manner consistent with the region's

long-term goals and policies.
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Carlos FeéLip, M.-Arch., M.C.12.
Registefed Planner, Director of Planning

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1D617/18-20

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