Dear Editor,
By now it should be obvious to even the casual observer that without improvements to the corridor through Vancouver the George Massey Bridge will not improve motor vehicle traffic flow, indeed the intent is to improve marine traffic flow in the Fraser River.
The new bridge will allow oil tankers for the airport fuel farm, coal barges and ocean-going cargo vessels.
Imagine the tourists in Steveston enjoying a coffee as the great tankers and coal barges pass. The dredging that will be required to deepen the channel will allow greater salinization of the river.
Presently, farmers use the river for irrigation. With more salt in the water that will come to an end.
So, there will be job loss in the farming community too. Prices at the green grocer will climb if the farmers are forced to use metered city water on their crops.
What impact will the increase in heavy marine traffic have on the fishing community? Presently, Steveston is the largest commercial fishing harbour in Canada, one spill and that is all over.
Sure, the port will hire more people but ports are now very automated and they do not require a lot of workers.
At the end of the day we risk more jobs than we gain and the motorists and taxpayers pay for the bridge so that the Port Metro Vancouver can make greater profits.
I suggest the increase in port operations be moved to Prince Rupert. It is the third-deepest port in the world and they are already expanding. Prince Rupert requires no bridge, no dredging and the commerce will benefit the Canadian economy.
The difference is simply money in the pocket of the Prince Rupert Port Corporation versus the Port Metro Vancouver.
Why risk our jobs and farmland? Why would we pay for a bridge to line the pockets of the Port Metro Vancouver when there is a safer alternative?
Scott Stewart
Richmond
