Traffic Gridlock in Delta - again

April 12, 2006
The editor,

How many of us were, once again, stranded in traffic gridlock this Monday and Tuesday following two major blockages of our road transportation links in Delta?  How many ferries and planes were missed? How many missed family appointments? How many lost customers and business as a result? On both occasions those unfortunate enough to be trapped were stuck for many hours.

The Delta Chamber of Commerce is concerned about the impact of these disruptions on Delta businesses and the ability to do business under these circumstances. The economic cost of business lost in Delta is hard to estimate but to say it is in the millions of dollars each year is not an exaggeration.
On Monday, our businesses along River Road were cut off for hours. On Tuesday, traffic was paralyzed until early evening trying to get to Delta through the tunnel. Enough is enough.

Two issues need to be addressed and solutions found. One is the length of time it takes to clear highways after a major accident. The second is the shortcomings of the Massey tunnel, opened in 1959 and hopelessly inadequate to handle the traffic volumes of 2006. We understand from our provincial government it will be 15 years before a solution is addressed. That is not good enough.

The Delta Chamber of Commerce is committed to working with all levels of government and any other group to help find reasonable and timely solutions that will benefit the community of Delta and the businesses that operate here. We need alternative routes in and out of Delta and faster action for clean up after accidents. We will begin working on this immediately.

If you would like to support our efforts, give the Chamber a call at 604.946.4232.