See Photo of Howe Sound with Upper Levels route.
See Map of New upper levels route, not in the Metro Watersheds

1. This option does not impact the GVRD watersheds. It misses more land claims, or it is on lands currently perceived by all parties to have ‘less value”.
2. It can have minimal impact if designed in vertical section correctly. If so, the impact on watercourses and lower slope communities can be minimal.
3. It can be constructed without shutting down the old highway. Only a few connections between the new Upper levels and the old highway are necessary. For additional emergency service access, helicopter landing areas would be an adjunct. This route would often be clear on the upper levels when the lower one is shrouded in fog.
4. It does not impact the railway line, which by itself needs upgrading for curve removal and new tunnel works over time; lower highway work could preclude rail options for the future.
5. It has a 10% grade at each end and a wonderful upper levels view at the 600m level. This will add some snow and ice clearing costs but there are compensations.
6. This route would require some tunnels, snow sheds and bridges but the basic alignment follows workable contours. Although this is a preliminary first cut look at the route, we have experience in dealing with less data than this for similar studies in the past. It is worth looking at.
7. This should be done independent of the Olympics bid. The lower road can be converted to a local residential road, allowing for more mountain villages along Howe Sound.