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Letter: Liberals at fault for transit tie-ups in Richmond

The Editor, Re: “Tunnel review too slow: Johal,” News , Sept. 9. In no way can a new crossing of the South Arm of the Fraser be contemplated until a new crossing of the North Arm of the Fraser to South Vancouver/Burnaby is included in the planning.
tunnel

The Editor,

Re: “Tunnel review too slow: Johal,” News, Sept. 9.

In no way can a new crossing of the South Arm of the Fraser be contemplated until a new crossing of the North Arm of the Fraser to South Vancouver/Burnaby is included in the planning. If not, gridlock will just move to Steveston Highway!

It was the Liberal Party that built the faux P-3 Canada Line, a prestigious subway for Vancouver, which the region pays dearly for. It was so expensive the scope of the project had to be reduced to the point where it has only 40 to 50 metre long station platforms, permitting the operation of only two-car trains.

As built, the Canada Line has slightly more than half the capacity of the rest of the SkyTrain system. Internationally, the Canada Line is considered a classic white elephant as no one has copied the Canada Line or has shown any interest in it at all!

It was under the Liberals watch that the Canada Line was built not to be compatible with the rest of the SkyTrain system.

The cost, just to increase the Canada Line’s capacity to match that of the rest of the rapid transit system is now estimated to be more than $1.5 billion and there isn’t even a hint of funding for this.

It was the BC Liberals who trashed the plan to twin the Massey Tunnel and instead build a politically prestigious mega bridge, thus also trashing regional transportation planning to suit their politcal timetable

So please, Liberal MLAs don’t moan about the Massey Tunnel, as it was politcal interference by former premiers, Gordon Campbell and Christy Clark, that has caused the problem in the first place.

Malcolm Johnston

DELTA