Editor:
I note the new and allegedly improved Mufford Overpass, the final act in the trilogy, has quietly partially opened as of August 18.
Now senior Metro staff, as well as the Township transportation engineer, are advising additional overpasses will probably be required on major routes (read Fraser Hwy., 200 Street and the Bypass) due to increasingly heavy traffic flows and growth in the Langleys. Westshore Terminals advised that CP will be increasing coal train lengths from 12,000 to 15,000 feet at the June AGM. Add that to the increasing number of freight trains which will be traversing the Langleys - rumoured now to be increased to 38 daily and you have the recipe for gridlock.
Township Council willingly sacrificed the safety and livability of the Langleys on the altar of economic sacrifice for the rest of Canada and handed the $9 million cost to us, the taxpayers in Langley Township, instead of the real beneficiaries, CN and CP. Is this an example of Council standing up for taxpayers?
Despite substantial input from various community organizations such as VALTAC as to alternate solutions, Council railroaded this deal through in the backroom and it never saw the light of day until the “official announcement” was made at Langley Civic Centre with all politicians smiling, glad handing and backslapping each other. I know as I was there on June 27, 2007. Many of the Councilors who were responsible for this “gift” are still sitting - you may want to remember this on Nov. 15 as an example of their thinking forward capabilities and concern for your well being.
Paris is the City of Light, Nanaimo is the City of Murals whilst Langley is the City of Concrete Overpasses.what a legacy Mayor Alberts and Council gave us.
Lee Lockwood, Aldergrove