7/24/2019 MLA Vicki Huntington - Submission to Massey Tunnel Replacement Project, Phase 3, Public Consultation

1/2

Legislative Office:

Room 145, Parliament Buildings

Legislative Assembly

Province of British Columbia

Vicki Huntington, M.L.A.

Delta South)

Constituency Office

4805 Delta Stree

Victor a, B.C. V8V 1X4

Phone: 250 952-7594

Fax: 250 952-7598

Fax: 604 940-792

www.vickihunt ngton.c

Delta, B.C. V4K 2T

Phone: 604 940-792

e mail: v cki.huntington.mia leg.be.ca

January 28, 2016

Project Office

George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project

Ironwood Plaza

2030-11662 Steveston Highway

Ric mond, BC V7A 1N6

To whom it may concern:

Re: Comments on Massey Tunnel Re lacement Pro ect, Phase 3, Public Consultation

Please consider the following comments on the proposed 10-lane bridge to replace the existing Massey

Tunnel as part of Phase 3 of the public consultation process.

I would like to preface my submission by noting that I support many of the objectives of the George

Massey Tunnel Replacement Project, as stated in the Project Definition Report PDR). However, I have a

number of outstanding concerns about the scope of the project as it relates to the larger transportation

system in the Lower Mainland.

The PDR notes that funds for the new bridge will be raised through a combination of bridge tolling and

funding partnerships with the federal government. However, there is little meaningful detail. This

information matters a great deal to the residents of Delta and neighbouring municipalities that rely on

the corridor.

I believe the provincial government needs to engage in broad-based consultation to solicit feedback on a

region-wide tolling system that would distribute costs more evenly across the Lower Mainland. The

current system of tolled bridges and free crossings creates an imbalance for people living south of the

Fraser River, and my concern is that these inequities will be exacerbated by a new tolled crossing.

In terms of federal contributions, I believe it is important that Port Metro Vancouver pay its fair share of

funds for the tunnel replacement. The PDR notes that daily truck volumes along the corridor, which are

already significant, are predicted to double by 2045. Much of this traffic is destined for terminals under

the Port s jurisdiction. Port contributions should make up a significant portion of the funding formula.

It has also been noted that the new bridge will result in no net loss of farmland for the region. While this

is welcome news, the government must act quickly to publicize in detail how this goal will be achieved.

7/24/2019 MLA Vicki Huntington - Submission to Massey Tunnel Replacement Project, Phase 3, Public Consultation

2/2

Finally, it has been noted that the two-lane on-ramp from Highway 17A may include an HOV lane. The

Ministry s draft concept drawings show these lanes merging into one, as traffic crosses the proposed

bridge deck. I am concerned that access to the new bridge via Highway 17A will not result in meaningful

access improvements for residents of South Delta, including traffic originating in Ladner and

Tsawwassen. The specific benefits for South Delta passenger vehicle, transit, foot, and bicycle traffic,

should be clarified prior to proceeding with further design and procurement stages.

Sincerely,

Vicki Huntington, ML

Delta South

cc: Geoff Freer, Executive Project Director, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

Massey Tunnel Replacement Project