January 20, 2009

For Immediate Release

NORTH DELTA - With the lengthy shutdown of the Pattullo Bridge, Delta can expect to see major shifts in traffic movement throughout Delta said Guy Gentner, MLA for Delta North. “Today’s congestion along Hwy 91 and the Alex Fraser Bridge is evidence of what the residents of Delta will experience in the future. It is only going to get worse and neighbourhoods in North Delta will be the ones to suffer.”

The closure of the Pattullo Bridge is a clear example of what is in store for North Delta: more congestion. “With planned tolling on the Pattullo Bridge, toll evaders will continue to rat-run through North Delta neighbourhoods. And with the South Fraser Perimeter Road funneling more traffic onto the Alex Fraser Bridge, the Nordel interchange will bear the greatest burden,” says Gentner “This will create heightened congestion at critical ramp routes from River Road, including all major collector routes through North Delta - 72nd Avenue, Kitson Parkway and Hwy 10.”

With no serious investment in transit, the Liberal government has left commuters sitting in traffic jams, “This is why we need a comprehensive transit plan across the region, the Liberal government has ignored the need; instead they want to spend billions of dollars on projects that will take years to be in place,” continues Gentner “more buses and dedicated routes to ease traffic movement is what the Liberal government can do now to help alleviate the chaos that is upon us. For North Delta, this is only the beginning.”