One Less Escape Route Out of the Lower Main Land

Or you could say there is one wide open way across. No one else will go there. Might wanna lower the air pressure in the tires and get a good run at it, but heck might be worth a try if in dire straits:)

The Lower Mainland is littered with bridges both small and large. No surprise here due to the geography of the region. Its actually one of the main topics we share as it will be a burden for sure. We have an option for this dilemma although some can pull it off, while others cannot. Again, power in numbers here. 🙄

We all seem to take them for granted until one in disrepair closes a main evacuation route. Imagine a huge earthquake taking out two or more. Could be a blessing if you are on the right side of the road block. Less people in a mass exodus heading out of town toward you. They didn't waste any time getting that bridge back to a passable state.

Bridges will become choke points in major disasters. The government can and will use them to limit the migration of people and equipment when the big disasters happen. Massive movement of displaced populations will in them selves be a problem as governments try to supply disaster relief.
We all know that relief will be the most effective in the most populated areas. So if you haven't made your bug out plan, with resupply of food, water and equipment stashed along your route to your bug out location including a contingency plans for water crossings if the bridges are closed to you. You might just be screwed. Better plan for your bug out would be to have a location that doesn't necessitate the crossing of a bridge or other obstacle. Get a few close friends to meet up with you at an off the beaten pass close to home. You know the area, you know instinctively how to get there, you know what to expect. Hey get your friends to have a practice event there once or twice a year to be ready for when the SHTF, I'd do it in Winter and Summer just so you know what to expect.

Key here seems to me to be the fact that a few key choke point accesses eliminated , and the majority of the problem is confined to the denser urban population centres during a prolonged crisis .

Can't go ten km in BC without crossing some sort of bridge.

The Lower Mainland is littered with bridges both small and large. No surprise here due to the geography of the region. Its actually one of the main topics we share as it will be a burden for sure. We have an option for this dilemma although some can pull it off, while others cannot. Again, power in numbers here. 🙄

You do know what happens to bridges in a 9.0 Quake right?

As a member of the local Ammature radio club I am also registered with Emergency Management BC for communications, this gives me a special vehicle licence (my call sign VA7VDE), a vehicle window decal pass and a photo ID pass to get through emergency road blocks, hense this means I get home to my family and my preppings, with the option of movement away from the damage zone. Just another reason to get your Ham licence and a radio.

I am a ham (although not very active) and a member of my local radio Club...but we don't have any special passes. Is that an arrangement the club made with the local authorities just in your area? Sounds like a good idea.

Hi Hope
Apply for your call sing licence plates They are free. Check with your club president and see if your club is associated with BC Emergency Management. Check out your local ESS (Emergency Social Services) group.
Our BC Emergency Management ID card will get us through. What area are you in? Maybe I can lead to a group.

I got the hell out of the lower mainland 2years ago. Too many choke points, too many people, the potential for far more chaos then I want to deal with should the time come. Best choice i made, less stress, more time to get into the more important aspects of prepping.

Thanks, Grumpy Bear, I'm in Ottawa. We have an org called ARES.