Dear Editor,
The $3.5 billion bridge proposal, which is forecast to exceed $4.5 billion by completion, is too much to spend on one project in a province with many worthy needs. The initial cost for the George Massey Tunnel, when adjusted to 2017 dollars, was $140 million. The planned bridge is three kilometres in length, longer than the Port Mann Bridge, and would be the longest bridge in B.C. The 3,000-metre proposed bridge replaces a 629-metre tunnel in order to cross a river that’s about 200-metres wide.
There’s no question that the George Massey Tunnel requires improvements to reduce traffic congestion. With more than 80,000 vehicles using the tunnel every day and 8,000 during the rush hour(s), the provincial government should be commended for committing to making improvements.
Yet, there are unsettling and issues with the proposed bridge, including the environment, further industrialization of the Fraser River, the reduction of farmland and the bridge’s oppressive physical dominance.
Courage, leadership and changing one’s mind are not mutually exclusive. Too often, all of us, including governments, become too entrenched in our positions on various issues. For some, reconsideration, reflection or changing our minds or plans are seen, somehow, as weakness or indecisiveness. The willingness to listen and, perhaps, alter plans should be seen as strength, strong leadership and confidence, not weakness. In terms of the bridge, the government should demonstrate leadership, political courage and reconsider the bridge proposal.
In 2004, the province invested $22.2 million in seismic upgrades to the existing tunnel which has a remaining life span of 10 to 15 years. The highest estimate for twinning the existing tunnel is $1.7 billion and takes far less time than the new bridge’s construction.
Of course, there are other considerations beyond practical budgetary factors. The visual footprint of the proposed bridge would dominate the surrounding flat landscape and consume arable land and planned city parkland. While the new bridge would be an impressive structure, its 10 lanes, immense multi-storey profile, and 3,000-metre length would overpower neighbourhoods on both sides of the river. Our goal, whenever practical, should be to minimize our footprint on the environment. Unlike the bridge, an enhanced twinned tunnel would provide very comparable transportation improvements while minimizing our intrusion on the environment.
The bridge’s environmental impact would be significant. The Fraser is one of world’s largest salmon runs, and a world recognized estuary and wildlife habitat. The intent to increase deep sea shipping and for greater port industrialization of the Fraser, are contentious issues associated to the bridge plan that have not been adequately examined. While some in officialdom decline to acknowledge the linkage between these issues and the bridge plan, there is plenty of available information that clearly demonstrates the connection. Larger vessels and a deeper (sustainable) dredged channel are certainly part of the planning between involved parties.
This will adversely affect the estuary and affordable, useable farmland.
The region’s population will grow by about one million people by 2040 and transportation improvements, including public transit, are needed to meet the challenges. It’s important to note, that neither the Metro Vancouver Regional Growth Strategy nor the Mayor’s Council support this bridge plan because it’s inconsistent with the regional growth strategies that have been carefully developed.
In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, the plan for a freeway through Vancouver was contentious and, eventually, it was shelved and the freeway was stopped. There wasn’t unanimity at the time and only through a historical lens can that decision be confirmed as visionary. The George Massey Tunnel replacement is another watershed moment. It is not too late for reconsideration and to change plans.
Courage and changing your mind are not mutually exclusive. It’s immensely reasonable to question whether we require a $4.5 billion, 3,000 metre bridge to cross the 200 metre wide Fraser River. It is not too late, for the government of B.C. to demonstrate leadership by listening and reconsidering options. It is fair to ask if this is a bridge too much?
Andy Hobbs
Richmond
