Massey Tunnel needs work: mayor

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DELTA (NEWS1130) – Delta’s mayor says the George Massey Tunnel is at capacity and cannot be ignored by upper levels of government any longer.

Lois Jackson says traffic along the tunnel is already at capacity, and is expected to increase in the next several years because of new tolls at the Fraser River crossings, a new South Perimeter Road and additional berths at Delta Port.

Jackson has asked her staff to study the Massey Tunnel to find out how increased traffic will impact it in coming years. She has tried to lobby the provincial and federal governments in the past for money to improve the tunnel, but never had any success. She’s hoping the study will help bolster her case with the province and feds.

“We have taken our story to Ottawa. We have taken it to Victoria. The study, we’re hoping, is going to do an analysis in more depth and we are looking forward to that,” she says.

According to Jackson, the last time improvement work was done to the tunnel was in the 1980’s. She warns if nothing is done now, the transportation of goods will eventually be at a standstill — an issue that should get the attention of the provincial and federal governments.

Her message to them is this: “You might not have the money today. You might not have it tomorrow.  But we are more or less putting you on notice to put some money in the piggy bank here for something that is going to alleviate the problems.”

The study will cost about $60,000 and is expected to be completed in about three months.

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