Collaboration is generally a good thing, but when it comes to planning a new crossing of the Fraser River, I have apprehensions about such an approach.
I recognize that the more voices you have at the table, the better the outcome will be, but that premise is based on the notion that everyone involved is looking out for the greater good, which might not necessarily be the case when it comes to a gathering of regional mayors.
Delta North MLA Ravi Kahlon was lauding the NDP’s handling of the issue while speaking at a Delta Chamber of Commerce luncheon earlier this month, suggesting the voices of all Lower Mainland communities will be heard before a business case is presented for the preferred crossing option next fall.
There are many new mayors as a result of last fall’s civic elections, but this group has historically been ambivalent toward a replacement for the George Massey Tunnel, partly because it was considered a provincial responsibility but perhaps more due to the fact that members wanted scarce infrastructure dollars to be spent in their own back yards.
I’m not sure much has changed on the territorial front as both Vancouver and Surrey have already flexed their political muscles within the new group to move forward on prohibitively costly SkyTrain extensions in those two cities. Expanding rapid transit is a laudable goal, but given there’s only so much money to go around, you have to wonder what will be left for the Highway 99 corridor.
When regional representatives got together to devise a 10-Year Vision for our transportation network, some areas got rapid transit investments, others received increased bus service, whereas Delta got one of its park and ride lots repaved. Then-MLA Vicki Huntington aptly described our slice of the pie as little more than the crumbs, which, sadly, was both accurate and expected.
Maybe I’m being too cynical and the new-look Mayors’ Council will endorse a project that adequately addresses the congestion at what’s generally considered the biggest bottleneck in B.C. I’m holding out hope that’s the case, but I worry that regional politicians have a history of being far more concerned with their own interests than what might be good for their neighbours.
