Some pushing for a bridge to replace Massey Tunnel
Posted December 5, 2012 4:16 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
RICHMOND (NEWS1130) – Some of you may use the Massey Tunnel everyday, but would you be okay if it was replaced with a bridge? Dozens of people attended a consultation meeting in Richmond last night for the George Massey Replacement Project to get info and raise concerns.
It’s one of many meetings in communities along Highway 99 this month. Planners say the current tunnel will last ten to 15 years, that’s why it has to go.
Project Director Geoff Freer says the province is looking for feedback from people on “how they use it? How does it impact their lives?” and hoping to answer questions.
He says at this point we don’t know if a new tunnel or a bridge will be built.
“We have no preconceived notion here. We’re really trying to find out from people what they think we should do? We hope after Christmas to come back out to the public and talk about the options,” says Freer.
Some people feel a bridge is the solution.
“Definitely more lanes and definitely not a tunnel, I just don’t think the tunnel thing will work. I mean we’ve seen the earthquakes happening up the coast off of Haida Gwaii. The experts are telling us the big day is going to come here sooner than we think so, if it’s a magnitude seven or greater it doesn’t matter what tunnel you put in there, people will die…If you put in a bridge at least you have a chance of swimming,” says Greg.
Ralph thinks removing the current bridge will hurt the environment.
“If they take the tunnel out and allow more traffic on the river they’re just going to ruin and finish off the salmons runs. I suggest they leave the tunnel there and put in a bridge in somewhere else,” says Ralph.
But many think a tunnel is the best transportation link between Richmond and Delta.
“If you build a bridge it takes up far more land because you have more approaches. A tunnel just goes from river to river bank…This is a complicated project. This is far more complicated than the Port Mann because you’re dealing with the Federal government and ports, transportation of goods up the river, fishing, agriculture, all kinds of stuff,” says Bill.
Protecting the environment and getting rid of the traffic are just some of the things people hope to accomplish.
“Something needs to happen to reduce the congestion but I’m not sure what, maybe free buses,” says Larry.
With almost 80 percent of tunnel users during rush hour are single occupant vehicles, a few people are suggesting extending the Canada Line out to Delta to help get people out of their cars.
Planners say more than 80 thousand vehicles use the tunnel each day and almost 80 percent of the drivers have no passengers.
