I know you’re gonna find out who’s naughty and nice but Santa, I assure you this year I have been very good. I’ve paid my taxes, my dog licence, put our food scraps in the green can, sorted plastics from paper and recycled my lightbulbs.
When you’re making your list and checking it twice, please make my Christmas wishes come true and give us a new crossing for the south arm of the Fraser River.
If you’re coming to town, Santa, I’ll tell you how it’s gonna be. Your reindeer will be in gridlock whatever direction you fly. As hundreds of commuters merge into a four-lane tube there’s pollution spewing into the air as cars line up and sit idling waiting for their turn.
There’s poor lighting in the tunnel so make sure Rudolph has his nose shining bright. Fly fast, Santa, so you don’t get stuck in there if there’s an earthquake or those toys for deserving boys and girls might be crushed.
I know you’re travelling all over the world so give yourself lots of time because if there’s a stall or an accident in the tunnel, you’ll be getting hungry for those cookies under the tree.
I don’t want to cry and I don’t want to pout, but my family is stressed out by traffic. There are 90,000 vehicles a day driving under the river, so it’s time we had a new bridge. It would save us time and gas money.
It’s only going to get worse, Santa. Have you heard about the presents coming to South Delta? An expanded port, a casino, the Southlands development and expensive condominiums. Maybe we’ll even get a cruise ship terminal.
I hate to be a stickler but, Santa, I don’t just want any old bridge, I would like a special bridge.
It should have wide lanes for lots of cars, and one lane designated just for big transport trucks. I would like a pathway for cyclists and pedestrians that would encourage people to cycle and walk more.
Very important, Santa, is room for rapid transit so we can get out of our cars, ride the bus more efficiently and eventually extend the Canada Line.
I would like a bridge that has pleasing architecture and uncomplicated merging lanes and good signage. Yes, good signage would be wonderful.
I would like our wildlife, birds and fish habitats to be undisturbed and the Fraser River estuary protected. If Santa’s elves don’t have enough money for a bridge, then toll us. When the tunnel opened in 1959, there was a 50-cent toll and the project was paid for in just five years.
One more thing: I would like to be able to bungie jump off the bridge, Santa. That would be fun.
Looking forward to seeing you on Dec. 25, Santa. After all, we deserve a little magic here in Delta.
Ingrid Abbott is a writer and broadcaster who wishes readers happy Hanukkah, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with good health and prosperity.
