Editor:
In regards to the George Massey tunnel upgrade or replacement options.
I cannot believe that the number one option would not be to extend the SkyTrain from the Brighouse station to the Ladner bus loop.
Better yet extend the line to the B.C. Ferries terminal in Tsawwassen.
I travel through the tunnel on a daily basis in the morning only to see extensive gridlock heading north and once through, there is gridlock heading south.
In the afternoon the same scenario happens the other direction.
I am not sure what the stats are exactly but I would estimate a good 80 per cent of them are single riders. I believe adding or improving the existing tunnel is just going to add to single driver traffic and not deal with the issues that need to be addressed.
How many more single riders will there be once the following occurs:
The construction of 2,200 homes at the Tsawwassen Shores development is well on it's way to being built.
This will add 5,200 more residents with a possible of 2,000 more single riders.
The construction of Tsawwassen Mills, a 1.8 million square foot mall with retail, office and entertainment facility. There will be 17 anchor stores, a 600,000 square foot big box retail development with restaurants, hotels and theaters coming into the area.
The possibility of the redevelopment of Southlands in Tsawwassen, adding more single family homes.
I hope all this population increase has been taken into consideration. With the completion of the above due sometime in 2015, one can only imagine the increase of single drivers heading to the mall for shopping, work and entertainment from other metro Vancouver locations.
Extending the SkyTrain seems to make the most sense. Not only will it eliminate more single drivers that are on the road now and in the near future, but it will also eliminate green house gases that seem to be another current issue.
Imagine the decrease in vehicles that make their way from the Islands to YVR airport if residents had the option to walk on the ferry and take rapid transit to downtown Vancouver or onto their holidays. Unfortunately, I would still need to be a single driver, as I need my truck for work. On the other hand, it would be convenient to get on the SkyTrain from Tsawwassen and head to downtown Vancouver. As it is now, I park and know many others that leave their vehicle at the River Rock station to go downtown for leisure outings.
I am sure there must be cost difference to the five options proposed by the B.C. government and extending the current SkyTrain. The bottom line is what makes more sense in the long term.
Lee Rente
