The first time I drove northbound it was a shock. I felt slightly disorientated, the brightness of the new LED lights in the Massey Tunnel was something unexpected.
Harsh is an understatement and I no longer feel I need to remove my sunglasses before entering the tunnel. Every imperfection is highlighted, and it’s clear the 62-year-old girl is looking old. I refer to the tunnel, not me.
There is no denying the new lighting improves visibility, but these, “safety and reliability improvements,” at a whopping $40 million sends the message it will be a long time before we get a new crossing.
I suspect Premier John Horgan and his crew are kicking a new crossing down the road, literally. Resurfacing, line painting, upgrading fire alarms and ventilation is obviously necessary if we are to keep driving it for possibly a decade more.
For those of us who used to argue over bridge versus tunnel, we don't care anymore. May the powers that be just make their minds up and give the communities south of the Fraser a safer and wider crossing to deal with the biggest traffic bottle neck in our province.
Have you crossed the Pattullo Bridge lately? That is darn right scary and to those poor Surrey residents who must drive it every day my heart goes out to you. That project was to have been completed the fall of 2023. Good luck with that.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unexpected bonus for commuters. My husband’s daily drive from Tsawwassen to the city was been reduced by 15 minutes each way. We hope a new crossing will maintain quicker commute times, thus less pollution.
The business plan is complete, so we wait for the government to make a decision on the future crossing. Door No. 1, Door No. 2, or more waiting. Our one saving grace is our Mayor George Harvie who is vice-chair of the Metro Vancouver George Massey Crossing Task Force. Mr. Mayor please do your best to get this party started.
The tunnel is still a safety concern to us all. New lights are an illusion that it’s safer. Dressing up a four as a nine doesn’t make our tax dollars work, so get on with it, and let us really shine.
Ingrid Abbott is a freelance writer and broadcaster who while researching Manfred Manns song, Blinded by the Light, discovered that, “revved up like a deuce” refers to a car, and is not to be confused with, “wrapped up like a douche,” like she once thought.
