Get Rid of the Tunnel, Then You Will Need The Bridge

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It’s just the story that keeps on giving. As reported on  The Indo Canadian voiceonline,  the Corporation of Delta, the Mayor, Council  and the Chief Executive Officer want their Massey Bridge and on the August 14 council meeting went through how to decommission the Massey Tunnel. You just can’t make this stuff up. Despite the fact every other municipality in Metro Vancouver has said no to this ten lane overbuilt bridge on the best farmland in Canada, Tsawwassen soldiers on with what they believe is good for themselves-and the region.
Firstly to build up the business case, Delta staff once again reviewed the safety issues in the George Massey Tunnel “including electrical system deficits, deteriorating concrete, damage to sprinkler system, and the ageing ventilation system”. And then the discussion moved to how to get rid of the tunnel, including  “potentially flooding the tunnel once the new bridge is open. Not only would this option be less expensive and less environmentally harmful than removing the tunnel, it also addresses concerns related to dredging the Fraser River to accommodate larger ships.”  Um-but we were just told by the Liberals pre-election that there was no need for deeper draft for ships, and that was not a reason for not using the tunnel model.  But never mind.  Of course the 145 technical and scientific studies were again trotted out for reference-but anyone looking at the website for all of these items will have noticed that documents came and went on the website a bit like the shell game.
Meanwhile a letter in the Delta Optimist suggests that the tunnel is a nightmare because of ” insufficient traffic management. Restrict vehicles with less than four occupants to not travel during rush hour. That will cause pooling of passengers and drivers and reduce traffic to a trickle.” 
Mr. Abe Froese actually worked on the George Massey Tunnel in 1955, and had personal experience with the lack of solid river base noting  “It is not comforting to me to think of building a $4.5 billion bridge on a sand base. I think I will shake in my boots if I have to cross it and it’s a long way down if an earthquake hits. I side with Doug Massey in his proposal that global tunnel experts be consulted as they can share their expert knowledge that is most important at this time to allow the public access to vital information required and to enable those in charge to make their decisions -a decision based on facts and not emotional feelings.”
Mr. Froese ends his letter with these words: “There is nothing wrong with the George Massey Tunnel that a little renovation and better lighting will not fix to allow traffic through for many years to come.”
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