GRIDLOCK: FIX IT FAST

The New Democrat government cancelled work on a new bridge to replace the George Massey Tunnel this week and said it will submit the project to an independent technical review. It also suspended a process to choose one of three shortlisted firms to design, build and finance it.

The government’s move is expected to delay any progress on addressing issues related to the 58-year-old seismically vulnerable tunnel and massive traffic bottlenecks on the heavily travelled route between Vancouver and the U.S. border by at least a year.

Transportation Minister Claire Trevena acknowledged there was a problem. “Something has to be done to address traffic congestion at the site, eventually,” she said.

But eventually is not soon enough. At peak travel times — and often in off-peak hours — unlucky motorists can spend upward of an hour in standstill traffic inching toward the tunnel.

A lengthy review is unnecessary: its only purpose a political one to fulfil a campaign promise. Numerous studies about improving the crossing have been produced over the last three decades. Nearly $100 million has already been spent on engineering work, geotechnical work, public consultation, land procurement and site clearing.

A meta-analysis could be done in six weeks rather than the six months the government indicated its review would take. There is no need to prolong the pain for drivers, whether they are moving people or goods.

Furthermore, there is broad public support for a bridge. Results of an Angus Reid poll released this week show three in four Metro Vancouver residents want the Massey tunnel replaced with a bridge. The poll could have asked whether respondents want the problem fixed sooner or later. But we already know the answer to that question.