Vancouver viaduct removal becomes election issue

A coalition of businesses and residents in Vancouver is urging candidates in the upcoming civic election to act on a longdelayed plan to remove the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts and redevelop the surrounding land. The viaducts, built in the 1970s, were approved for removal by city council in 2015 as part of the Northeast False Creek plan, which envisioned new housing, park space and community amenities. But the project has stalled for years amid rising costs, changing real estate conditions and uncertainty over how to fund the work. Supporters of the plan say the delay is making the project more expensive and slowing down opportunities for housing and public space. Some mayoral candidates have said they support moving ahead, but also acknowledge the city will need a revised financial model and updated cost estimates before demolition can proceed. Vancouver’s civic election is scheduled for Oct. 17.