Lekstrom surprised Delta will ask feds for highway funds

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – BC’s transportation minister says he’s surprised Delta is going straight to the feds for highway improvements the province won’t pay for, but that doesn’t mean he’s against the idea.

Blair Lekstrom says transportation infrastructure is the responsibility of both the province and municipalities.

He says he didn’t know Delta isn’t happy with downgrades to the South Fraser Perimeter Road and that the municipality wants a new Massey Tunnel.

Delta says it has sent several requests to the Ministry and just last week News1130 heard from Chief Administrative Officer George Harvie about the municipal corporation’s concerns.

“One concern is with regards to not having proper interchanges [on the South Fraser Perimeter Road],” he said. “Their plan right now is for intersections or stop lights.”

Delta’s mayor plans to go to Ottawa in October to ask for cash to upgrade the Massey Tunnel and the new highway. Lekstrom says it’s not a bad idea – if Delta can get the money.

“Well certainly I’m not one to ever turn down federal funding,” he says. “The South Fraser Perimeter Road, there was a huge amount of consultation work that went on, on this – obviously the detailed work and design. Construction is underway and I think it’s going to be a very favourable road.”

Lekstrom has said there is no plan to upgrade the Massey Tunnel.

Any new funding would be in addition to money already given to the province for the SFPR project under the Gateway Program.

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