Comments on: Tunnels Under Downtown: Vancouver History Readers’ Choice

By: Allison

Allison — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 04:45:07 +0000

The tunnel under Canada Post is not open to the public or anyone for that matter because they are unsafe and also a security risk to Canada post.

By: Derek K. Miller

Derek K. Miller — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 21:44:59 +0000

The turnaround for North Shore trains heading downtown would be awkward, because the track from the tunnel at Second Narrows is designed for trains going or coming from the east, such as New Westminster, Surrey, or Mission. But with some switching it could probably be accommodated.

You can actually go through one of the VGH tunnels from the main floor of the BC Cancer Agency. It’s not a long walk, but it definitely feels underground. And of course you could consider most of Pacific Centre one big tunnel.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:22:06 +0000

I could be wrong, but are there not also steam tunnels in downtown Vancouver as well? I’m pretty sure they are similar to the one’s at UBC and happen to still be in use.

By: E-man

E-man — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 05:59:04 +0000

Is the Canada Post tunnel big enough to accommodate transit? If not, can it be used as a pedestrian walkway, with side-tunnels to Pacific Centre, Vancouver Centre, and SFU-Downtown?

Re. the tunnel described by Derek K. Miller — I’ve often thought that would be an ideal route for a second West Coast Express service, from the VIA Rail station to the North Shore, Horseshoe Bay, and on to Whistler.

By: Tyler

Tyler — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 19:57:22 +0000

While at WordCamp Vancouver, the Museum of Vancouver has a little exhibit of what Vancouver could have been. There was a plan to build a tunnel near the south side of Thurlow under the city towards Coal Harbour for cars to by pass the city onto the bridge that was wanted near Coal harbour/Brockton Point.

I do know there are tunnels under VGH though used mainly to run back and forth between the three city blocks for emergency codes and service access etc.

By: Derek K. Miller

Derek K. Miller — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:59:44 +0000

There is still a heavily used tunnel at the eastern edge of the city. I’ve made it a black line on this map:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/penmachine/2174196025/

Ever wonder where the trains that cross the rail bridge at Second Narrows go on the south side? Straight into the side of the hill, through the tunnel, emerging near Willingdon Avenue in Burnaby!