There's no definitive explanation yet for the rock slide that blocked traffic between Vancouver and Whistler for seven hours on Sunday.
Surely the major widening of the Sea-to-Sky highway to handle traffic for the 2010 Olympics played a role, but construction isn't officially getting the blame. It's worth noting that radio Web sites provided information about the road's conditions all day, while as late as 1:00 a.m. on Sunday night the Vancouver Sun's Web site told readers to wait for the Monday morning newspaper.
The unexplained closure ought to renew interest in alternative forms of transportation to the Whistler area. Why not an expansion of the passenger ferry service planned between Vancouver and Squamish during the Olympics? Why not start a fast ferry from Seattle to Squamish? If the C$600 million or so cost of the highway's reconstruction makes economic sense, can't alternatives pencil out too?
Highway 99 closed for hours again today just south on Function Junction due to a collision between a bus and logging truck. I'd expect the IOC will take notice.
Posted by: brian | February 06, 2007 at 00:28
Good pic of the accident Monday attached.
There are alternative routes. 5 hours Whistler north via Cache Creek back to Van. 4 hours or so via the logging road Pemb. to Harrison if you have full on raised 4x4.
Posted by: B.D. | February 06, 2007 at 18:04
Good pic of the accident Monday attached.
There are alternative routes. 5 hours Whistler north via Cache Creek back to Van. 4 hours or so via the logging road Pemb. to Harrison if you have full on raised 4x4.
http://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/pique/members/viewArticle.php?Article=47250
Posted by: B.D. | February 06, 2007 at 18:05