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Leaders urge tunnel action

Heavy congestion at the George Massey Tunnel has prompted several Metro Vancouver mayors to call for immediate action.

In a letter released to the public Wednesday, five mayors and the leaders of two First Nation bands have called on the province to hurry up on the construction of a new crossing across the Fraser River, between Delta and Richmond, as reported by CTV News.

“With the timelines currently being contemplated by the province, construction on a new crossing may not be completed before 2030 – a delay that greatly impacts the lives of tens of thousands of residents who make use of the tunnel each day," the letter states.

The Musqueam Indian Band, the Tsawwassen First Nation and the mayors of Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver, Delta and White Rock say they have reached a consensus on nine points that they say would speed up construction.

These suggestions range from addressing concerns over the impact to fisheries during construction to designing a crossing that would last until at least 2100.

"Our communities are those most directly impacted by tunnel congestion and we have been successful in finding a solution that we can all support," the letter states.

– with files from CTV Vancouver



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