Vancouver Sun
The City of Delta considers establishing a second crossing of Highway 99 near the Massey Tunnel at Ladner to be critical infrastructure for growth in that area of the municipality, so officials are protesting its apparent exclusion from the $4.15-billion tunnel replacement project.
“For Ladner and for all of Delta, having the second overpass was critical,” said Coun. Dylan Kruger, Delta’s acting mayor and co-chair of Metro Vancouver’s George Massey Crossing Task Force. …
Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie backed Harvie on Delta’s position, co-signing the letter, which also asks for Fleming to support keeping B.C. Hydro’s main transmission lines underground as part of the project.
“I think any time you make a decision, or make recommendations, it’s stronger if the mayors of both cities sign it,” Brodie said.
Brodie said B.C. Hydro’s main transmission lines run beneath the Fraser River along with the existing Massey Tunnel, but the utility was going to replace that infrastructure with overhead wires, strung from “very tall” towers as part of the previous bridge.
Brodie said that would be “a step backwards,” which was mainly why he signed Harvie’s letter.
“(The River Road overpass) may be of less impact to the City of Richmond, but certainly the Hydro wires are of great interest,” Brodie said. “So we want to speak with one voice and be supportive.” …