Falcon's Freeway a Future of Lowered ExpectationsTransportation Minister Kevin Falcon has argued that his freeway program will benefit commuters, especially South of the Fraser River. With the help of Clean Air Radio's Langley Correspondent Nathan Pachal, we will show that the minister is looking in the wrong direction.Listen.Greater Vancouver has consistently been rated as one of the most livable cities in the world. While not all development in our region has met the principles we have set for ourselves through the Livable Region Strategic Plan (LRSP) we have achieved good results which are being adapted by other cities.According to Statistics Canada, the Lower Mainland is going against national trends- average commute times have remained the same or are shorter and BC'ers are driving less.A 2006 BCAA poll showed that almost 75% of drivers in BC recognize that cars pose a significant environmental problem.If environmental concerns won't bring drivers to use their cars less then gas prices certainly will. CIBC World Markets has predicted that oil will reach $100 per barrel in less than two years- the price is $75 today.With the increase in gas prices we have seen a jump in transit use but the main reason, according to TransLink,has been the improvement in service like the U-Pass program.We know that that nowhere has road expansion worked to solve congestion. Downtown Vancouver shows that another way is possible. Given global trends and local successes it is apparent that Kevin Falcon's plan is really about lowered expectations for the future. Surrey and surrounding communities can be another sustainability success. Choose better transit, not freeways.

[ Wed, 26 Jul 2006 15:19:00 -0500 ]

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