RICHMOND (NEWS1130) – The BC Liberals have started the process of replacing the Massey Tunnel, but the NDP is suggesting the project is not urgently needed.

Transportation Critic Harry Bains says if his party is elected, other plans would be looked at first.

He tells us the Massey Tunnel is part of an overall strategy to improve your commute and the flow of goods, but feels there are a lot of other areas that need work.

“Looking at how to replace the Pattullo Bridge, which is very old and very dangerous; have more buses on the roads; expansion into the south of Fraser; the Broadway corridor… all those areas need to be looked at… along with the Massey Tunnel, which could be a longer-term.”

Bains admits the tunnel is a choke-point and he will attend public consultations for its replacement, but says it’s a matter of priorities and resources.

“[The Massey Tunnel] would be a little longer-term strategy, in my view, considering the resources that we have. I think the main priority would be to upgrade our public transit system in the Lower Mainland.”