Bridge, Not Tunnels says Yako

SURREY, BC — The British Columbia Trucking Association (BCTA) wants a bridge, not another tunnel, to replace the George Massey Tunnel.

A bridge would end two major restrictions for cargo haulers, BCTA president Louise Yako told the Surrey Leader.

Oversized loads and trucks hauling dangerous goods aren’t allowed under the Fraser River, and instead have to travel “far out of their way” to another bridge. That adds unnecessary traffic and emissions, the Leader noted.

“A bridge would address both of those deficiencies that the tunnel currently has,” Yako told the Leader.

Yako also said removing the aging George Massey would clear the way for larger ships to make it upriver to Fraser Surrey Docks, where trucks could be loaded with cargo containers instead of Deltaport. That would make goods movement more efficient, she said.

While discussions on using tolls to pay for a new crossing haven’t begun yet, Yako said that the trucking industry “believes it should pay its fair share.”

The question, Yako says, is “how should we pay? Should it be through tolls? Should it be through system-wide road pricing? That’s the next discussion we need to have as an association and the public needs to have as well.”

For the full Surrey Leader story, click here.


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