Editor:
I am writing about the province’s plans for the George Massey crossing.
It seems that the province is determined to destroy the Massey Tunnel (which is in excellent condition even though it was built in 1958).
I say, let’s keep the old Massey crossing, and then build a four-lane tunnel or bridge nearby. That would give us eight lanes of road.
We do not need a 10-lane bridge/tunnel. This end of the Fraser Valley does not boast a multi-million population, like Montreal, or Toronto, or L.A. Sure, the feds will pay part of the new bridge/tunnel. The province of B.C. will pay part of that cost.
But, the commuters would have to pay the rest, with tolls, for decades.
We are presently told that the cost of a new bridge would be $3.5 billion. (We all know about “cost overruns”). Maybe it would be five or six billion dollars?!
We are told that the destruction of the present George Massey Tunnel would allow ocean-going large ships to pass through. I say (and everybody I talk to says), “To hell with large ships saling through.” Why should hundreds of thousands of motoroists care about the passage of large ships? Who cares if those ships carried coal or oil? I don’t.
Alright, politicians, let’s have a vote on the issue by the general population.
Let’s not let the politicians dictate everything!
John Primrose, White Rock
…
There is a lot of contention at present regarding a new toll bridge in the Deas Island area. This would mean relying on vehicle drivers from south of the Fraser to carry the main load of paying for this structure and all the other recent and future crossings required for access north of the Fraser. Those living to the north get a pass on most of those costs, as they relatively rarely travel south, remaining in an area that has had its transportation infrastructure requirements funded by the whole Greater Vancouver Regional District resources.
The inequity to dwellers south of the Fraser goes without saying.
When taking the 351 bus to Bridgeport from White Rock/South Surrey in non-peak hours, no one boards at Matthews Exchange nor Steveston Highway. At Bridgeport, the bus users all seem to head downtown on the Canada Line. So the need appears to be easy access to central Vancouver from our area.
Would it be possible to get people out of their cars before Deas Island by extending the Canada Line across the south arm of the Fraser on a new Sky Train bridge in that area? If a free parking facility were available there, the population of Ladner, Delta, Tsawassen, Surrey and White Rock would be well-served and able to access downtown more readily. Perhaps the tunnel could then manage the load.
Such a system could eventually be connected to the Scott Road station along River Road, maybe at ground level, making it possible to travel clockwise or anti-clockwise throughout the light rapid transit system.
Judging by the non-use of the new South Surrey Park ’n Ride, free parking is key to getting people to use public transit.
Anthony Walter, Surrey
