Editor:
The signs, open houses and news releases by the provincial government indicate that replacing the George Massey Tunnel could be in the works, but the smart choice would be to talk about adding a crossing and keeping the existing tunnel.
MLA Blair Lekstom has been quoted as stating the longevity of the tunnel is not in question, so the public should be asking why then does the information distributed to the public not consider more creative options?
The South Fraser Perimeter Road from Deltaport to Highway 1 could have a short connection from Tilbury to the Nelson Road overpass in Richmond and then to Boundary Road in Vancouver. This would allow commuters to take a more direct route to their homes in Surrey and beyond.
The tunnel could remain unchanged and service primarily commuters in South Delta, which would reduce congestion.
After studying the map for the South Fraser Perimeter Road it seemed so obvious to me that replacing the tunnel was illogical given it is too far west for most of the traffic that currently uses it.
We need to be fiscally responsible when considering our transportation needs and I feel the current public input process is not offering cost-effective options. The narrow study of the replacement of the tunnel should be abandoned and instead the public should be asked to comment on all options that offer relief of congestion at the George Massey Tunnel.
I propose the potential connection to Boundary Road in Vancouver be studied and the public be informed of all the options and not just the replacement of a tunnel that has decades of life still left in her.
