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Bridge set to replace tube Doug Massey starts petition to maintain tunnel that’s named after his late father BY
SANDOR GYARMATI
sgyarmati@delta-optimist.com
The provincial government is going against the public’s wishes in deciding to scrap the George Massey Tunnel. That’s the reaction from an expectedly irate Doug Massey over Tolls in Premier Christy Clark’s announcement last Friday regarding plans to replace the 54-year-old underwater crossing with a bridge on the existing Highway 99 corridor. Construction is to begin in 2017. The 80-year-old former municipal councillor and longtime community activist has already begun a campaign to stop the demolition of the tunnel named after his late father, who spearheaded construction of the structure more than a half-century ago. Massey has launched an online
petition that can be found at www. thepetitionsite.com or by typing “Retain the George Massey Tunnel after new crossing built across Fraser River” into a search engine. At last Friday’s Union of B.C. Municipalities convention, Clark announced the our future provincial govPage 3 ernment would move ahead on replacing the tunnel with a bridge, noting congestion at the antiquated tube is frustrating for families and stalling the economy. The new bridge will improve travel times for transit, commuters and commercial users, and open the corridor to future rapid transit options, she said. The premier announced the project at the UBCM two years ago, which was followed by a See TUNNEL page 3
SCAN WITH TO REVEAL VIDEO PHOTO BY
SANDOR GYARMATI
Doug Massey, son of George Massey, says the provincial government is disregarding the public’s wishes by replacing the tunnel. He says he supports a new crossing, but believes the tunnel should be maintained.
The provincial government released this rendering of what a bridge would look like on the Highway 99 corridor.