Re: “Pressure needed for bridge tolling review” – NDR, March 2.

Many politicians, as well as [columnist] Frank Bucholtz, think the Deas Island Bridge is a done deal. Is it? The engineering study is still incomplete, bedrock for the bridge has not been found after pounding pilings past 1,000 feet and previous tests failed to find bedrock after 2,000 feet.

And what if the bridge’s soaring costs prove unacceptable? Remember, the initial bridge estimate was $3.5 billion. Now we must add $385 million for the BC Hydro realignments. Revising original plans, the government now plans a much higher and wider bridge. These costs have not been revealed to the public. Considering the unreasonably high costs and safety concerns, politicians may ultimately abandon this bridge option.

Rather than speculating on more tolls, let’s hope politicians will rethink the potential of a new $1-billion tunnel. Saving billions by replacing the [George Massey] Tunnel with two spacious tunnels [means] tolls won’t be needed. Trains could also be added. Our farmland and salmon fishery would be preserved, and people could get to Vancouver even on a snowy day.

Rick Millikan, North Delta

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