The Council of Canadians Delta/ Richmond chapter is calling for improved transit instead of a multi-billion dollar replacement of the Massey Tunnel and an expanding of the freeways in Metro Vancouver. CBC explains, “The Massey Tunnel crosses under the Fraser River between Richmond and Delta, south of Vancouver. It is a major thoroughfare for commuters south of the Fraser heading into Richmond or Vancouver.”
The Tyee.ca reports, “The provincial government (has) revealed five potential options for the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project (including) to maintain the existing tunnel, replace the existing tunnel with a new bridge, replace the existing tunnel with a new tunnel, maintain the tunnel and build a ‘twin’ bridge or tunnel along the Highway 99 corridor, or maintain the tunnel and build a new crossing in a new location.”
The chapter points out that a new tunnel or bridge would allow the Port Corporation to move much larger ships, including oil tankers and coal ships, up the Fraser River. Oil spills and coal dust pollution are a serious threat to the ecological health of the River and the salmon that depend on it.
Delta/ Richmond chapter activist Cathy Wilander says, “We need to make transit an accessible and convenient mode of commuting instead of spending our public money replacing the tunnel. We have to get people out of their cars. This is particularly relevant to our community as global warming from carbon emissions is here and our community, a flood plain, is particularity vulnerable to rising sea levels.” Vancouver/ Burnaby chapter activist Eric Doherty adds, “We must stop spending public money on making the climate crisis worse, and shift the money to solutions like public transit and electric trains. It’s time for all concerned people to take a stand against these freeway projects that are cooking our planet.”
24HoursVancouver notes, “Simon Fraser University urban planning expert Gord Price (says) pursuing megaprojects like the South Fraser Perimeter Road or Massey tunnel replacements only feeds commuters’ over-reliance on vehicles and in turn creates more demand for additional infrastructure to relieve congestion in the decades to come…”
The chapter will picket and leaflet the Ministry of Highways open house in Delta on Saturday March 16.
