The new NDP provincial government should begin planning a light rail system connecting Delta and the Fraser Valley with the rest of the Lower Mainland.
Delta Mayor Lois Jackson made that suggestion at the Surrey Board of Trade last month where she once again reiterated her support for the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project, which was suspended by the province pending the completion of an independent technical review.
Jackson said the $3.5-billion, 10-lane bridge project includes hundreds of millions for transit improvements. Although the proposed bridge would be able to accommodate light rail, the previous Liberal government stopped short of projecting when such a service would be added.
Jackson said giving motorists a viable alternative to get out of their cars can only be made possible with a new crossing, however other regional mayors have voiced opposition to the bridge project, some arguing the province needs to avoid trying to build its way out of congestion.
Jackson, whose proposal to begin early planning for LRT was shot down by the Metro Vancouver Mayors’ Council, told the board of trade during morning peak hours there are nine transit lines going through the tunnel with one bus every three minutes.
“The province estimates that 60 per cent of the morning rush hour trips by South Delta and South Surrey residents to Downtown Vancouver are by transit. This is a very significant number of people using transit and it demonstrates why investment in this project is so vital to commuters living south of the river.
“I want to see light rail come from Richmond, over the bridge, through Delta and Surrey, out to White Rock, Langley City, Langley Township and out to Chilliwack. A fast rail line, wouldn’t that help our future citizens?” she asked. “They do it in so many other countries, I don’t understand why they can’t do it here.”
Richmond Coun. Harold Steves, a vocal opponent of the bridge, said measures can be taken now to help reduce congestion at the tunnel, which will give the government time to begin planning for LRT. He said instead of a bridge, the options should include adding a LRT tube or one that has two lanes for cars and two for rapid transit.
The first phase of the proposed Surrey LRT system has already been approved by the Mayors’ Council.
