I went for a stroll Monday to see what all the fuss was about regarding some movie star hunk/heartthrob and the shutting down of the Georgia viaduct for a 20th Century Fox production.
You’ve probably heard that Vancouver-born actor Ryan Reynolds is back in town to run around in a red-and-black action hero outfit and make a pile of money while he stars in comic book film Deadpool.
Kind of exciting, if you’re into that kind of thing.
But it may not be terribly exciting for motorists who depend on the viaduct, which will shut down on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. until April 16 to accommodate filming. This Saturday, the span out of downtown will close from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. and may carry over to Sunday. The film company has options to shoot April 17 and 18, too.
Who agreed to this?
The City of Vancouver because, as its communications people pointed out in a news release, the production intends to spend more than $37.5 million and hire 1,100 workers.
Good for the economy, people.
At least that’s what Mayor Gregor Robertson said when the city announced the closures of the viaduct, which runs parallel to the Dunsmuir viaduct, which remains open for vehicles, bikes and pedestrians during filming.
What the mayor didn’t say was the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts will likely be demolished at some point in the future. To make that happen though, the city will need some evidence that Vancouver can survive without the 1970s-era hulking structures and successfully reroute the 43,000 vehicles per day that use the viaducts.
I’ve already heard Vision Coun. Geoff Meggs say how the closure of the viaducts during the 2010 Winter Olympics didn’t have a dramatic effect on traffic.
I’ve also read the city reports that say the viaducts would cost up to $120 million to retain, if rehabilitation, maintenance and eventual replacement costs are factored in over 40 years.
I’ve also heard city staff say they’re confident they can design a new street system to replace the viaducts that will ensure traffic continues to flow in and out of downtown.
Here’s a telling quote from one report: “In every city’s evolution, there are rare opportunities to take bold city-building steps to advance the city’s goals and livability, or correct a past planning wrong. The potential removal of the viaducts provides an opportunity for the City of Vancouver to do both.”
So, yep, it’s pretty clear city staff wants the viaducts down.
Which brings me to this: How much do you want to wager that this movie shoot will also factor into the city’s decision to demolish the viaducts?
I’m confident that when the city does an analysis of what effect the closure of the Georgia viaduct had on traffic, it will be minimal. I’m also confident we’ll hear how it was good for the economy.
As for my stroll to the set Monday, I never did see Reynolds, although he tweeted later in the day to thank motorists for putting up with the closure. What I did see was an overturned SUV, heard the rat-tat-tat of automatic weapons and saw lots of people running around with portable radios.
While taking it in, I had a come-by-chance brief conversation with a cyclist who was rolling by on the Dunsmuir viaduct bike lane. It was Sadhu Johnston, Vancouver’s deputy city manager.
“I guess it hasn’t shut down the city, so that’s good,” he said, before pedalling downtown.
See what I mean, confident.
Note: I realize Monday was a holiday for some and the rest of the week will be busier for motorists. But no busier than it was in 1965. Huh? The city’s director of transportation, Jerry Dobrovolny, told me a couple of years ago there were fewer vehicles travelling into downtown now than in 1965. And, he too, was confident when he said that.
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