The following are extracts from "Vancouver - Squamish
Corridor Study", Province of British Columbia Ministry of
Transportation and Highways, 1982.
VANCOUVER - SQUAMISH CORRIDOR STUDY
Introduction
This report describes work carried out by the Ministry of
Transportation and Highways on the task of finding and
investigating the feasibility of various highway routes
between Vancouver and Squamish. The work was initiated in
recognition of the problems being experienced on the existing
Route 99; physical problems related to the terrain through
which it was constructed in 1957; the natural deterioration
of the high cut slopes in poor rock; the presence of streams
subject to debris torrents and the obsolescent alignment and
widths. The route is used by skiers travelling to Whistler
resorts, by local commuters between Squamish and Vancouver,
by truckers and business people in Squamish, and by those
residing and working at various locations between Horseshoe
Bay and Squamish.
Purpose
The report will examine four main corridors, two of which
have variations for part of the length. ..
Traffic - Existing Highway
.. An analysis of the eight year counts indicates an
average 8.5% compound growth. The peak hour of 1020 vehicles
experienced on a Sunday in 1982 indicates that the tolerable
capacity of the present highway is being exceeded for the
speed and alignment presently experienced on the route. When
this occurs the quality of driving comfort diminishes,
congestion occurs, driving speed is reduced and passing
opportunities become non-existent.
