Dear Editor,
The Province of B.C. initiated that Delta bring forward a report which shows the George Massey Tunnel as being unsafe and dangerous, furthering its argument for its replacement.
As the son of the late George Massey, after whom the tunnel was named, I find it difficult to argue against the fact that the government has failed to make the tunnel safer.
1) The fact is that this is an unlined tunnel with a normal concrete surface finish, rather than being tile-lined to better reflect the light and make the tunnel safer. This could and should have been done from the time it was first built some 57 years ago and would have increased the safety and flow of traffic by 35 per cent.
2) They have failed to monitor and fine illegal lane changes by trucks and vehicles within the tunnel.
3) They have failed to place notices to vehicles well in advance of the tunnel that they must have all their lights on before entering the tunnel for safety reasons.
4) They have failed to institute a policy that many major cities around the world of banning large transport and container trucks during rush hour at all major river crossings.
Instead, Port of Vancouver has increased the number of container trucks during rush hour to further their argument that a new, high-level bridge was necessary and the tunnel should be removed, so they can deepen the river and industrialize the river above it.
5) They have long failed to recognize the need for a 150-bed hospital to service the needs of people and industry this side of river ever since the tunnel was built, despite the efforts of our forefathers and present organizations in Delta and the Tsawwassen First Nation, from the time Delta Hospital was built in 1977 some 49 years ago.
6) They plan to build the longest, high-level bridge on nothing but sand, gravel and clay, for there is no bedrock base for some 600-700 metres.
How more stable can this ever be than a tunnel during an earthquake?
7) And removing the high voltage transmission lines that are presently in the tunnel and placing them in the air, next to the bridge right in the middle of a wetland of international significance, will increase bird kills.
8) Placing an LNG and fuel storage facility close to the high-level bridge does not make much sense if we are worried about public safety.
Should there not have an been assessment of these of these, by Delta’s staff.
9) By encouraging the deepening of the Fraser River and its adverse affects of sediment removal on fisheries, a full environmental impact should be demanded by Delta’s mayor and council and the federal government.
10) Given the soil conditions and location, any new crossing should be a modern tunnel, complete with safety, bicycle, pedestrian and transit tubes.
Douglas Massey
Delta
