Dear Editor:
Like many other residents concerned about transportation issues, I have taken part in several consultations organized by TransLink and the City of New Westminster recently. So I was very excited to read that the city has decided to include discussion of the Pattullo Bridge replace-ment in its master transportation planning process and that the community will be given an opportunity soon to offer its ideas. (City tackles transportation, bridge issues, The Record, March 16). It was especially encouraging to know that all options for the bridge's replacement would be explored and that a wide variety of issues would be open for discussion.
That made it even more disturbing to receive an email report from TransLink last week (sent to participants in its "community consultations") that virtually ignored a number of major questions and concerns raised by many of us who took part.
Yes, the majority of those present at the TransLink meetings showed a strong preference for locating a replacement bridge "upstream" rather than "downstream" from the current location. And, yes, there were preferred options for how the Pattullo should connect with Royal Avenue, McBride and East Columbia.
But to make only a passing reference in the report to serious concerns expressed about the consultation process itself - and, in particular concerns that "other options were not placed on the table" - does a grave disservice not only to those who came and shared their views, but to the residents of New Westminster.
In the TransLink meeting I attended at the Inn at the Quay, these concerns were voiced in several different breakout groups. This, despite the fact that our workshop leaders made it clear that the only questions up for discussion were:
? Should a widened (six-lane) Pattullo Bridge be built upstream or downstream?
? What should the connections to Royal, East Columbia and McBride look like?
TransLink officials treated it as a given that a wider Pattullo Bridge would result in a 40 per cent increase in traffic into New Westminster, a figure that is very worrisome indeed - not just to residents in my neighbourhood of Victoria Hill, but to everyone I have spoken with in our community. The Pattullo was designed to be a bridge between two communities. It was never meant to be a freeway!
Like my neighbours, I am deeply concerned about the expected increase in truck traffic from the South Fraser Perimeter Road - both because of tolling on the Port Mann Bridge and because there is no connection to the Port Mann until 176 Street, a 14-kilometre diversion.
I am deeply concerned about even greater congestion on our major roads, about air quality, about safety on our streets and sidewalks, about environmental impacts and about the livability of our neighbourhoods. And, like many other residents, I believe that real consultation means putting all options on the table for discussion.
Kudos to our city council for initiating a process where that will be the case. I have no doubt they will hear a wide variety of opinions and solutions, and that there are passionate debates ahead. But that's what consultation is all about, isn't it?
Judy Darcy, NDP candidate, New Westminster
