The NDP planned to kill the George Massey Tunnel all along, according the Liberals who made public an internal New Democrat party document.
The opposition party Thursday released one page of a document that appears to be an election preparation sheet with a title in bold font reading “PLATFORM PREP - 2017 THIS IS WHAT BOLD LOOKS LIKE” that has a box stating rapid transit would be built in Vancouver and Surrey as well as rapid bus service in other parts of the region. It also states the regional mayors transportation vision would be implemented and “We’ll pay for this instead of replacing the Massey Tunnel.” Handwritten notes were scribbled underneath the box as if someone were jotting down points during a discussion.
A Liberal party spokesperson said it looks like part of the NDP’s policy platform for its campaign, which may not be a government document but shows the intention was there to not go through with the bridge project.
The document does not appear to be official, nor confirmed party policy. However, that didn’t stop the Liberals from accusing the government of quietly planning to kill the $3.5 billion project right off the bat despite assurances from Transportation Minister Claire Trevena.
“The minister has been trying to pretend the government is not leaving more than 80,000 commuters stranded in gridlock traffic twice a day,” said Delta South MLA Ian Paton in a statement.
“Now we have proof the NDP has been deliberately misleading British Columbians. The document is clear: ‘We’ll pay for this instead of replacing the Massey Tunnel – even if it is a safety risk.’ “It’s so frustrating that the minister is doing a ‘consultation dance’ when they have no such intentions. Instead, she’s throwing five years of work and any hope those commuters have of a quick trip into the garbage bin.”
The document, however, doesn’t state the project won’t proceed despite a “safety risk.”
Richmond-Queensborough MLA Jas Johal in the same statement said it’s clear the document illustrates the NDP have no plans to fix the worst bottleneck in B.C.
“These are people trying to get to work, kids to hockey practice and workers trying to move goods. And Claire Trevena has just told them – sorry, don’t expect anything anytime soon,” he said.
A communications official for the NDP caucus said the document is nothing more than a discussion paper typed up for what appears to be a brain storming session for ideas for the election and did not form official party platform or government policy.
The Liberals are also saying the Trevena “announced plans to kill the Massey Bridge and admitted that would come at a cost of $100 million. At the time, she suggested the government would consult on a future replacement.”
The transportation minister last week announced that the government was not proceeding with the 10-lane bridge project pending an independent technical review as well as consultation with Metro Vancouver mayors. The government also stated it would examine options “be it the proposed 10-lane bridge, a smaller bridge or tunnel.”
The government acknowledged “the congestion along the Highway 99 corridor” and will determine next steps based on the recommendations.
Shortly after she was appointed transportation minster, on the topic of the tunnel replacement Trevena told the media the corridor congestion is frustrating and she looks forward to working with the region’s mayors to find a solution.
