October 15, 2019 - Minutes (Special)
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Special General Purposes Committee
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Date: |
Tuesday, October 15, 2019 |
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Place: |
Anderson Room |
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Present: |
Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair |
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Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. |
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PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION |
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1. |
George Massey Crossing – Phase 2 Discussion |
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With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1), Lina Halwani, Pam Ryan and Joost Meyboom, representing the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, reviewed the George Massey Tunnel options, noting the following: |
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public engagement on the project is on-going; |
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the potential crossing options examined included a deep bore tunnel, an immersed tube tunnel, and a bridge; |
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the optimal number of traffic lanes and lane dedication options were analyzed; |
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interchange designs for Steveston Highway and Highway 17 can be examined in future phases of the project; |
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the Province will work with the City and TransLink on future transit options for the George Massey Crossing and along the Highway 99 corridor; |
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options to expedite the environmental assessment process can be examined; |
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minor improvements to the existing tunnel can proceed and the existing tunnel can be safely utilized until the new crossing is completed; and |
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the existing tunnel will be retained solely for utility uses after completion of the new crossing. |
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Discussion ensued with regard to (i) improving the Steveston Highway interchange and connections between east and west Richmond, (ii) comparing the vehicle emission rates in a tunnel to a bridge, (iii) reviewing the number of general traffic lanes in the proposed crossing, (iv) reviewing options to reduce vehicle use and increase transit use, (v) assigning dedicated transit lanes for future light rail transit, and (vi) analysing road and transit improvement upgrades north of the crossing. |
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As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That the report titled “George Massey Crossing Project – Phase 2 Crossing Options”, dated October 15, 2019 be received for information; |
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(2) |
That based on the Province’s technical analysis, the City of Richmond endorse a new eight-lane immersed-tube tunnel with multi-use pathway and two dedicated transit lanes as the preferred option for the George Massey Crossing for the purposes of public engagement; and |
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(3) |
That a request be made to the Province to develop further plans to improve transit along the entire Highway 99 corridor to improve transit speed, reliability and capacity. |
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CARRIED |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (5:01 p.m.). |
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CARRIED |
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Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Tuesday, October 15, 2019. |
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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie |
Evangel Biason |