All bridge options - whether rehabilitated or new - have a potential impact on Stanley Park. The optimum level of acceptance for the Vancouver Parks Board is no negative impact on the park whatsoever. In its discussions, the Community Focus Group has supported the principle that the crossing choice should result in a net benefit to the park.

Route Width: Crossing options range from 3 to 6 lanes, including dedicated transit lanes in some cases and varying provisions for handling these lanes through double-decking or tunneling. Parks Board members point out that, first of all, they are not prepared to recommend any widening of an at-grade route through Stanley Park, and, secondly, the legal implications of getting approval for such a widening are extremely complex and would involve all three levels of government.

Tunnel Options: A combination of tunneling for some portions of the Stanley Park section, with others still at grade, may not be acceptable to the Parks Board if the right-of-way is any wider than at present, despite a net gain in park land represented by such a scheme. A crossing involving a full tunnel or a full tunnel through Stanley Park from the bridgehead has not been addressed until more information is available.

Long Term Transportation Planning: At a meeting on April 11th, 1994, the Parks Board passed motions supporting the use of the causeway for bicycles and pedestrians and the long term planning of transportation that would include light rail transit.

Lost Lagoon Impact: The Parks Board included in its motions that it is opposed to any compromise of Lost Lagoon. Transportation and engineering consultants had earlier reported that some loss of area on the east side of Lost Lagoon may be necessary to provide for a tunnel portal. The engineering report noted that Lost Lagoon is a man-made body of water and that some loss might be considered acceptable in light of significant gains that could be made in the way both transit and car traffic enters and leaves the park, as well as an opportunity to make other improvements to the entrance of the park.

Other alternatives, such as moving the tunnel portal further east along Georgia Street, will require more input from the City of Vancouver on long term street planning.

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