It was supposed to be a celebration of the start of construction of the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project, but protestors had something else in mind.
Around three dozen opponents, including members of the Council of Canadians and Fraser Voices, were on hand at the Delta Fire Hall 4 in east Ladner Wednesday morning.
They were there to make their presence loud and clear at the scheduled government announcement, which was to include a shovels-in-the-ground photo opp.
Transportation Minister Todd Stone, joined by Richmond East MLA Linda Reid and Delta’s Mayor Lois Jackson, were to speak outside but the boisterous protestors, several carrying placards and one determined to make full use of his megaphone, prompted officials to speak inside the fire hall.
“It’s a 10-lane bridge that’s going to cost a fortune as a result of a request from the port. We’re promoting the idea of adding another tube with the tunnel,” said Lynn Armstrong with the Council of Canadians.
Noting the project has received Agricultural Land Commission approval, Stone told media that he respected people’s right to protest, but said it was also clear today was the official start of the provincial election campaign.
Stone then went over at length the many attributes of the project, adding much technical work has gone into analyzing it and that there’s overwhelming public support.
Stone also categorically rejected the notion the tunnel was being replaced to accommodate deeper dredging by Port of Vancouver, which isn’t contributing to the project. He said large, deep-haul ships aren’t able to turn around in the Fraser River anyway.
The tolled bridge, which includes an extensive series of new Highway 99 interchanges, is to be completed in 2022. Stone said the toll will be in line with whatever is being charged at the Port Mann Bridge at the time.
Jackson also defended the project. Citing seismic concerns, she said the bridge is the best way to address the growing needs of Delta, Surrey and the increasing population south of the Fraser.
Richmond city councillor Carol Day, also at the protest, disagreed, saying she’s still looking for answers as to how the bridge can be built safely on a soft riverbed and on budget. She said the province has stonewalled Richmond’s requests for information on this.
Simultaneously on Wednesday, members of the regional Mayor’s Council, including Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, held a press conference in Surrey, calling on Victoria to complete a 10-year vision for rail and bus service to help “cure congestion.”
The regional district and most other Lower Mainland mayors, including Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie, have voiced opposition to the $3.5 billion bridge plan.
Stone noted the province is making billions in other transit investments. He then reiterated the bridge project is about creating jobs, as well as relieving the worst congestion point in B.C.
“We’ve had 125 meetings with Richmond alone. We’ve had dozens of meetings with Metro Vancouver. They sat on the environment assessment panel. They were involved in the Agricultural Land Commission process. They have been plugged in throughout this whole process,” he said.
However, Brodie noted Wednesday that while there may have been meetings, “we have no reason to believe any of our input has affected the process.
“A significant problem is that they never met with us before announcing the project and we’ve always had problems with it.
“And it has been a struggle to get our questions answered with specific meetings,” said Brodie.
Among the main concerns is pushing the northbound morning bottleneck to the Oak Street Bridge. The mayor also noted the city participated in the Environmental Assessment Process, but was dissatisfied with both the process and results.
Environmental group Fraser Voices is concerned about the bridge proliferating vehicle traffic in the region, destroying farmland and negatively impacting the Fraser River.
Regardless, Stone reiterated that the time for talking was over.
“We have talked about this project, we have consulted with British Columbians, including mayors, for over five years. Five years of talk. It’s time to move on to action.”
Following his speech, protestors, under the eye of police, waited outside for Stone to exit, but he eventually slipped out the back door.
