BC United promises to replace Vancouver’s Ironworkers Bridge if elected

BC United Leader Kevin Falcon announced his party’s plans to expand transit and transportation on Metro Vancouver’s North Shore if elected in October.

At a press event along the shore in North Vancouver Thursday, Falcon unveiled a “transformative” transportation plan he claims will help fix the “chronic traffic congestion plaguing North Shore Residents and commuters.”

He says the “anchor” of the plan is a project to replace the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge with a 10-lane bridge that will provide dedicated HOV lanes and lanes for rapid buses. Falcon pointed out that the current bridge is nearly 65 years old and is “screaming out for replacement.”

The plan also includes expansion of the SkyTrain to connect the North Shore directly to Vancouver’s transit network, and “comprehensive” improvements to road and transit infrastructure.

Falcon says his history as minister of transportation makes him qualified to see the projects through on time.

“[I] served for six years delivering over $14 billion of capital projects, the vast majority of which were on schedule and on line. That includes projects like the Canada Line, the Evergreen Line, Sea to Sky Highway, the Port Mann Bridge, the Pitt River Bridge, South Fraser Perimeter Road. I could go on,” said Falcon.

District of North Vancouver Mayor Mike Little says he’s pleased with BC United’s platform.

“These investments are exactly what is needed to help alleviate the severe traffic congestion we face every day,” said Little.

A complete list of the proposed transportation projects can be found on the party’s website.

The provincial election is scheduled for Oct. 19, 2024.