The Gateway project as currently contemplated is a future “stranded asset” - that is, even if the project itself is actually finished (which skyrocketing costs of oil, steel, cement and asphalt might prevent), billions will have been wasted on an outdated scenario of increased traffic volume. In reality, traffic volume is now falling because of increasing gas prices, and the money currently budgeted for Gateway needs to go into mass transit and changes in our pattern of community.

The VPO — in partnership with SPEC, the Dynamic Cities Project, and the Western Wilderness Committee — is proposing that the Gateway project be refashioned so that the money will be spent preparing for the future we’re actually going to have. This reconfiguration, called “Gateway 2.0″, will also resolve the conflict between BC’s attempt to reduce global warming emissions, and its plan to build bigger highways and twin bridges, so as to accommodate more and more cars.

Relevant links to explore on this issue:

o US road traffic already declining
o People driving on surface streets to avoid tolls
o Current energy outlook
o Global oil peak past or imminent
o Burnaby report questions TransLink analysis of peak oil (gives median date for Peak Oil as 2014)
o Actual Burnaby comments on plan
o Gateway plan based on $0.80/litre price for gas
o Steel prices high and rising
o Construction costs rising
o Asphalt prices rising
o Cost of building new bridge doubles
o Rail saves energy vs. cars
o Gateway in conflict with Liberal climate plan
o Concerns about costs to Burnaby of increased traffic from toll-avoiders
o Concerns about increased fatalities on the Patullo Bridge
o Dynamic Cities Project powerpoint on peak oil+climate+transport
o Stu Ramsay presentations on peak oil & transport
o Gilbert & Perl audio link re “Transport Revolutions”
o Gateway site
o Climate Action Plan site
o Fraser River works as transport route
o CIBC June 2008 peak oil report forecasting decreasing traffic volume 15% due to $7/gallon gas by 2010
o U.S. miles driven in June down 12.2 billion: govt