The Dream Solution for Crossing False Creek?

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Henriquez's proposal for a pedestrian bridge(Henriquez Partners)

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uploaded by timbarton

With the Burrard Street Bridge lane reallocation experiment set to start later this month, Mayor Robertson has now floated the idea of a dedicated pedestrian and bicycle crossing of False Creek. But this proposed bridge is full height, allowing sail boats etc to pass freely underneath. Nothing wrong with that you say. Well, no, apart from the fact that it makes crossing the bridge quite hard work, both from a distance and a grade perspective 9not to mention physiological). Would it fully remove the 'barrier' of False Creek? Some people are suggesting that a low level bridge (like the Millennium Bridge in London) would be a better option. Leaving aside its exact location, it would attract far more use than a higher bridge, and would surely have greater economic benefits as well. The problem is that taller ships could not then pass underneath. Hence the talk of swinging/ raising/ rotating etc bridges. See especially a good article by Gordon Price. ITs an interesting concept, and not without its challenges. What about all the sailboat owners? Would the bridge be up / down too much of the time. Plus, the Federal Government is in charge of False Creek and has a remit to keep it 'navigable'. Could this be overcome. Either way, it seems its time for Vancouver to start having the debate.