As a newspaper editor working in Burnaby, I try not to get too opinionated about certain capital projects.
But I can’t hold my tongue in the case of a proposed overpass by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority that would extend Holdom Avenue south over the rail tracks and Still Creek and connecting with Douglas Road.
It’s an insanely good idea and one that should have been completed decades ago. (it should be noted that my support won't influence our coverage of this project.)
According to the port authority, this project was listed in a City of Burnaby transportation plan 40 years ago.
Nothing like procrastination.
Yes, I’m being snarky here because I grew up a half-block west of Holdom, just about a three-minute walk to these rail tracks. It was a constant thorn in the side of my parents as we regularly were trapped in train traffic.
This stretch of road at the rail tracks has been a gong show for decades, with daily lineups of idling vehicles waiting for the trains to pass. It’s a bumpy, undulating road that has never been able to handle traffic in a satisfactory fashion. It needs to be changed and now it looks like it will.
Imagine coming down Douglas or Holdom and just moving seamlessly above the rail tracks and not having to negotiate that sloppy two-lane road that is constantly blocked.
But like any big project, the public needs to voice its support or concerns about it.
Between now and May 15 the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is inviting those who live, work and play in Burnaby to share their ideas about the Holdom Overpass. This is the first phase of a three-phase engagement process.
In support of the federal government’s guidance to practice social distancing to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the first phase of engagement will be done remotely. You can participate by:
- Learning more at www.portvancouver.com/holdomoverpass
- Reading the discussion guide
- Watching the project video
- Completing the online questionnaire
- Requesting a hard copy of the discussion guide and questionnaire, completing it at home, and then return it by mail (or email [email protected] or phone 778.957.9444)
- Asking questions at [email protected]
