Where have all the bridge supporters gone?
There’s an old axiom about hearing from people when they’re upset, not when they’re content, which I suspect has at least something to do with the dearth of vocal support for the pending bridge. I had a quick look back at the letters to the editor and opinion pieces over the last few months and they’re running at roughly five-to-one against the Liberal government’s 10-lane bridge, a ratio that would have been even higher if said Liberal government hadn’t provided commentary supportive of the project.
Not only are those opposed more likely to make their voices heard, but when you’re dealing with an undertaking of the magnitude of the $3.5-billion George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project, there are going to be plenty of things not to like. Readers have expressed concerns about, in no particular order, trying to build our way out of congestion with more rubber on asphalt, the absence of rapid transit, getting rid of the tunnel to allow bigger ships to ply the Fraser, moving congestion a few kilometres to the north, high tolls and ongoing subsidies when vehicle projections aren’t met, the sudden seismic vulnerability of the tunnel, urban sprawl, lack of bedrock for the bridge foundations, the price tag ballooning, a second tube being a cheaper alternative… The concerns go on and on, but you get the point.
As much as opponents have a bag full of valid complaints, those on the other side have a pretty compelling argument of their own — the George Massey Tunnel, which has been described as the worst traffic bottleneck in the province, has been a bane of commuters for decades.
In the years prior to the announcement, there was much complaining about the need for a new crossing but since the bridge plan started moving forward, the grousing has only intensified. In other words, we used to whine about not having a new crossing and now we grumble because we’re getting one.
It’s obviously a different group that’s ill-tempered now, but the earlier complainants, the ones that come from the 80,000 or so drivers that use the tunnel every day, have become oddly quiet.
Then again, I guess there’s no need to say anything if you’re not upset.
