The BC Liberal government has been moving forward to twin the Port Mann Bridge and expand Highway 1 to help improve transit, move commuters and expedite the flow of commercial goods. The benefits of this project are overwhelming and undisputable for Fraser Valley residents.By saying NO to the twinning of the Port Mann Bridge and the Gateway transportation program during her Thursday address to the Union of BC Municipalities meeting, Carole James is saying NO to all of the project's benefits for Fraser Valley residents.
- Carole James is saying no to 60 kilometres of new cycle routes – the largest investment in cycling infrastructure in B.C. history.
- Carole James is saying no to transit across the Port Mann Bridge that will move up to 2,700 passengers every hour, and a cycle route across the Port Mann for the first time ever.
- Carole James is saying no to reducing traffic congestion by creating new transportation networks, and 33 kilometres of new HOV lanes – which will cut average travel time between 5 to 30 per cent from 2003 levels.
By saying NO to the twinning of the Port Mann Bridge, Carole James is ignoring the facts.
- The Highway 1/Port Mann corridor is congested 13 hours a day.
- Transit has not run across the Port Mann Bridge in 20 years due to constant congestion and inability to keep schedules.
- There has been no significant increase in major road capacity in the region since the 1980s.
Carole James's own NDP MLAs have admitted the need for the twinning of the Port Mann Bridge.
- "My constituents believe the twinning of the bridge is part of the solution [to traffic congestion]."
- - Harry Bains, NDP MLA, Surrey Newton (Surrey Leader, Sept 14, 2007).
Support for the twinning of the Port Mann Bridge is overwhelming.
- Dianne Watts, the Mayor of Surrey, supports twinning the Port Mann Bridge.
- Former NDP premiers and highways ministers supported twinning the Port Mann Bridge.
- NDP MLAs, such as Harry Bains and Mike Farnworth, have spoken in favour of twinning the Port Mann Bridge.
Carole James and the NDP's opposition to the twinning of the Port Mann Bridge once again shows they are out of touch with the everyday needs of Fraser Valley residents. It's time for the Surrey NDP to start speaking up for the residents they are supposed to represent, reject Carole James's opposition to Gateway, and support this project.
