Whether Richmond gets a new hospital tower fast tracked, and whether a new crossing to replace, or complement, the George Massey Tunnel receives a green light in a timely manner, both remain a mystery to members of city council.
This, after a stunning about face on numerous policies by the B.C. Liberal Party in last week’s throne speech and the BC NDP poised to take power with a minority government supported by the B.C. Green Party.
Richmond-Steveston MLA John Yap told the Richmond News he is still in favour of building a bridge to replace the tunnel but is willing to consider concerns deeply rooted in the community and at city hall.
“My sense is we’re still in favour of the bridge,” said Yap.
“Our government still thinks it’s a good project. Having said that, we understand people have questions and concerns, so we’re committed to collaborate and consult on some aspects of the proposed bridge,” added Yap.
Meanwhile, the NDP-Green agreement makes no specific mention of the George Massey Tunnel replacement bridge, although NDP leader John Horgan has expressed a commitment to support the transportation plan of the Mayor’s Council, which does not involve building a mega-bridge at the Delta-Richmond crossing.
Coun. Linda McPhail said she doesn’t “really have a sense” as to what will happen to the crossing in the near future.
“I know the NDP will include the mayors’ 10-year vision and that didn’t include the George Massey bridge . . . They didn’t come outright and say they wouldn’t go ahead with the bridge,” said McPhail.
Mayor Malcolm Brodie has stated that the proposed 10-lane bridge will not fit with the regional plan to reduce car traffic and bolster rapid transit use. But the crossing still needs to be fixed, he noted.
“Ideally [the NDP] would support the idea of a twinned tunnel,” said Brodie.
Brodie said a new tunnel that includes a rail line to Surrey is feasible under the same budget as the bridge (presently pegged at $3.5 billion).
“Ideally you’d have a rail line in conjunction” with the crossing, said Brodie.
Brodie noted the NDP has not made specific promises on what to do with the crossing.
“But they have indicated a willingness that there are significant defects with the project and they’re prepared to take a longer look with the project,” said Brodie.
The mayor said he was keen to understand what specific design aspects of the proposed bridge Yap and the Liberals are willing to discuss. Yap told the News one aspect that could be addressed is the width of the approaches.
“On the surface, you’d think the NDP would be more willing to make significant changes,” said Brodie.
Meanwhile, both Brodie and McPhail said they are left guessing as to what will happen with Richmond Hospital’s precarious and deteriorating north tower.
McPhail noted neither the Liberals nor New Democrats made specific promises in their stated platforms to build a new tower.
But whereas the Liberals had the opportunity to include the hospital in their three-year fiscal plan, and did not, four local NDP candidates were more specific in their pre-election promise, according to Brodie.
“The commitment has been recognized by the NDP for a new hospital tower. The commitment from the Liberals has been a planning process. I don’t think there are any assurances from what I’ve heard at the end of that process . . . who knows what happens at the end,” said Brodie.
Yap said the hospital would be built following the planning process (business case).
McPhail said she’s wary of the new Liberal platform of new spending promises.
“It’s kind of interesting how it’s all appeared,” she said.
Yap said a forthcoming report on the budget from the Auditor General should show a much larger surplus than forecasted before the May 9 election.
“We can and should increase investments where historically our approach has been to be very prudent. But we heard loud and clear from the people of B.C. that they want us to focus on (social services),” said Yap.
