The provincial government just launched the second phase of public consultation on the proposed plan to replace the George Massey Tunnel - and the feedback is already rolling in.
Victoria unveiled five options earlier this week, designs that quickly prompted concerns in some corners.
Almost as soon as the province released the options, Richmond city council came out against any crossing that would significantly impact existing farmland and communities.
"The city has consistently opposed any crossing in the vicinity of No. 8 Road," said Richmond spokesperson Ted Townsend. "The city's Official Community Plan calls for the protection of existing farmlands and that any improvements to provincial highways in Richmond should occur within existing corridors such as Highway 99."
As well, the local chapter of the Council of Canadians this week called for improved transit instead of a multi-billion dollar replacement for the tunnel.
"We want transit, not tunnels," said Cathy Wilander of the Delta/Richmond chapter.
"We need to make transit an accessible and convenient mode of commuting instead of spending our public money replacing the tunnel."
Wilander said the group would prefer to see the government invest in improving transit as a way to reduce congestion by getting people out from behind the wheel.
"Numerous studies and long experience shows that highway expansion just creates new bottlenecks and wider traffic jams."
Public consultation on the future of the tunnel was launched late last year after the premier announced the government would begin exploring options to replace the 54-year-old crossing.
More than 1,100 people took part in Phase 1 of the consultation process, which included one meeting in South Delta.
According to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, information and feedback gathering during the first phase was used to design five options:
1. Upgrading the existing tunnel.
2. Replacing the tunnel with a bridge in the same location.
3. Replacing the tunnel with another tunnel in the same location.
4. Twinning the tunnel with a bridge in the same location.
5. Maintaining the tunnel while constructing a bridge between No. 8 Road in Richmond and 80th Street in Delta.
The second round of consultation concludes tomorrow with an open house from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Coast Tsawwassen Inn.
The Council of Canadians plans to picket outside the session.
For more information on the five options for the Massey Tunnel, or the consultation process, visit www.masseytunnel.ca.
