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Cardinal finds faith in the infield 1985
2010
Christian ball player hopes to make it big
T UESDAY , S EPTEMBER 7, 2010
32 Pages
Page A26
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Off The Rails “
”
We’re all at the mercy of Highway 1.
– David D. Hull Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce
With millions of dollars lost to traffic trouble on Highway 1, are trains that far off track? – PORT MANN/HIGHWAY 1 PROJECT/FILE/TIMES
Experts say although the new Port Mann Bridge could support a commuter train, its route wouldn’t significantly ease traffic congestion. RAFE ARNOTT RArnott@abbotsfordtimes.com
A
commuter train running between Chilliwack and Vancouver along Highway 1 is not feasible, say area rail proponents and infrastructure experts, but one running through higher-
density urban areas could be a possibility. Rail for the Valley spokesman John Vissers said a commuter train running down the centre of the Trans-Canada Highway through the Fraser Valley would help traffic volume, but is financially impossible. Calling it a “pie in the sky” idea, Vissers said the government simply doesn’t have
the money to finance such an ambitious said the new bridge is designed to accomtransit project. modate a grade rail line. “Putting something down the middle of She said while running a train down the the freeway is hugely expenmiddle of the Transsive,” he said. Canada Highway isn’t “Where would the tax mon- “Building freeway capacity is the best option, explorey come from to build someing other public transit a 1970s solution for the 21st thing like that? That money routes through more doesn’t exist anywhere. The century . . . it doesn’t work.” densely populated costs are staggering.” areas in the Fraser ValB.C. Ministry of Transportaley that could accom– John Vissers m o d a t e p a s s e n g e r tion spokesman Dave Crebo said a study to examine transtations is viable. sit options and commuter “If we’re looking at demand in the valley is underway. providing rapid rail along the south side of “[We’re waiting] on the results of that, so the Fraser River, the Highway 1 corridor is one would be committing to putting trains probably not the best location for it,” Ryan said. out there right now,” he said. Port Mann Bridge/Highway 1 Improvesee RAIL, page A18 ment Project spokeswoman Pamela Ryan
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