Editor:
While I totally support the need for a new crossing of the south arm of the Fraser River, I have some reservations about the proposed new bridge to be built atop the George Massey Tunnel.
As a part of the planning process boreholes were drilled to depths over 1,000 feet on both sides of the river. It turns out the boreholes, as reported about three years ago, revealed nothing but sand and silt. At some depths it was so mushy that cores could not be retrieved.
The plan, as I understand, is to build two concrete towers, 500 feet or more high, to support a bridge deck 10 lanes wide on nothing more than waterlogged sand and silt. One can’t help but think about the possibility of two leaning and sinking towers.
I suspect another tunnel with four (possibly six) new lanes while retaining the proposed Highway 99 roadway/transit improvements could be designed and built in less time and at less cost versus the proposed bridge.
Frank Suto
