Dear Editor:
City pushes for four-lane Pattullo with tolls, The Record, March 7.
Most of the New Westminster residents, including Mayor Wayne Wright, prefer the four-lane and
tolling of the Pattullo Bridge as viable solutions to the increased traffic on Royal Avenue and nearby areas.
However, Surrey does not agree and favours six lanes.
Surrey Coun. Barbara Steele says a six-lane Pattullo will decrease congestion and increase the number of trips.
Surrey Coun. Barinder Rasode also commented that the province should intervene and force a solution to replace the Pattullo if there are further delays or resistance to a new bridge from New West.
What does Surrey wants from us? Just take whatever they throw at us and what they want?
I do not think so. How would you feel if the province forced Surrey to agree to a four-lane Pattullo Bridge? We are not blocking, resisting or delaying any viable solutions.
This is our home and we will do and fight however and whatever is necessary to maintain our livability and safety for everyone! The six-lane bridge will cost more. The Surrey-Coquitlam option might be one of the solutions to help the residents of those cities.
Surrey's population is increasing. More population = more cars = more traffic = more congestion.
If the Pattullo Bridge won't be tolled, where do you think drivers will go to avoid the Port Mann Bridge (which is already happening now).
It does not matter how many lanes because people will avoid paying the tolls.
One of the New Westminster residents commented that all bridges should be tolled to "level things out," which I agree.
Those who are avoiding Port Mann have not factored the extra gas and time spent from avoiding the Port Mann. This was pointed out by one of the Burnaby residents, and I totally agree.
For the person who commented that New Westminster is not a city and all they want is to through us to get where they want to go: Are you from outer space that you have this bad, selfish and disrespectful attitude towards the New Westminster residents?
By the way, I live on Royal Avenue and I also have first-hand experience with this ongoing problems.
Catalina Trinidad, New Westminster
