The Editor,
Re: “The $3 billion hoodwink,” Opinion, Aug. 15
Removing the Massey Tunnel is a $3 billion disaster waiting to happen. Peter Van der Velden’s column hit the nail on the head when he said all of B.C. will pay for this federal project. The purpose of the eight lane bridge to replace the tunnel is to support increased tanker traffic on the Fraser River and to support Port Metro Vancouver.
The proposed bridge should be paid for by Port Metro Vancouver since they are the ones who will benefit from it. The three to five years we would have to endure construction will be a nightmare for people on both sides of the Fraser River. The consultation process was clearly an exercise to perform the illusion of public consultation when all along it appears that the province had a preconceived agenda.
Mr. Van der Velden says, “The value of this bridge is marginalized by manipulation of this public input.”
He’s right; I challenge anyone to go to the Massey Tunnel Replacement Store at Ironwood Plaza and get a straight answer from the staff there. They are either incompetent or instructed to be noncommittal and evasive. For the provincial government to open a store to sell the idea of a new bridge and not offer information about all the other options smells of propaganda.
We deserve better and we should question the public process and this $3 billion decision.
Carol Day
Richmond
