Reaction to the NDP halting Massey Bridge construction is mixed: SBOT

SURREY (NEWS 1130) – The decision to put the Massey Tunnel replacement project on hold is drawing mixed reactions from Surrey Board of Trade members.

“I think they understand why government is doing this, given previous historical perspectives on investments in transit and transportation,” explains SBOT CEO Anita Huberman. “But I think at the same time, our members for example are trying to move our goods, move our people much more efficiently around the region.”

She adds local businesses are competing globally to attract consumers, which means the region needs a good reliable infrastructure to do so.

“We do support the replacement of the George Massey Tunnel,” she says. “And alongside with that, we want a coordinated regional tolling policy. That tunnel needs to be replaced, we need to be able to move our goods and people and the bridge is the solution for that.”

“I understand the need for further consultation and investigation by government, but that’s certainly where the Surrey Board of Trade stands.”

Huberman says the tunnel’s age, congestion and Highway 99 are all issues responsible for the SBOT favouring a bridge, and adds transit and transportation improvements are also welcome. “We still have another million people that are moving into the region in the next 20 years.”

She hopes the business community will be involved in discussions around the replacement. Huberman believes it’s paramount for businesses to voice their opinions on it as well as other transportation decisions around the region.

The NDP government announced it was scrapping the procurement process for the project to replace the tunnel early Wednesday. The province is also launching a new independent technical review into a solution for congestion.

So far, $66 million has been spent on the $3.5 billion project and there’s no timeline for when the NDP government plans to build whatever it is that will replace the Massey Tunnel.

Both the mayors of Delta and Richmond were quick to respond once the official announcement was made.

Delta Mayor Lois Jackson, who is the only Metro Vancouver mayor who supports the project approved by the former Christy Clark government, says she knew today’s announcement was coming and she’s pleased.

“Certainly very happy they’re going to look into it in-depth. I’m really quite sure, after all is said and done, they will find that it is the best way to go in terms of a replacement of the bridge,” says Jackson, who hopes the review is done by the end of the year. “We have a very desperate situation with the Massey Tunnel. Of course, all of the crossings, but the sooner the better the tunnel is replaced.”

Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie is also happy other options are now on the table. “There can’t be any surprise that we have had very major concerns. It appears now that someone will be taking a good long look at this project to see what makes sense.”

He’s confident the review will ensure the right solution is found. “What city wants a new freeway right in their backyard? Something in the excess of 20 lanes wide at the Steveston Highway interchange. It is absolutely massive. You’re going to lose farmland. You’re going to lose park land. There are visual impacts to it.”

Brodie adds, unlike Jackson, he wasn’t given a heads up from the new government, but he’s pleased the New Democrats are actually looking to get input before moving forward.

The former governing party issued a statement following the announcement to voice its concern about the decision. “BC Liberal MLAs on both sides of the Massey Tunnel are concerned that the NDP government’s cancelling of the current replacement bridge is putting the safety of commuters at risk in order to further their political agenda,” reads a portion of the statement.

The Liberals say the replacement bridge would save the 80,000 people who use the tunnel every day up to 30 minutes of travel time during rush hour. The party adds scrapping the replacement would also have an impact on local jobs, by claiming a loss to 9,000 construction positions and 4,500 to 5,000 additional permanent jobs created by 2045.