Editor:
I strongly agree with Doug Massey (Optimist, letters, April 11) that it is in the best public interest to retain the tunnel name in honour of his father, George Massey.
It was Mr. Massey Sr.’s idea to build a tunnel under the South Arm of the Fraser River to link Ladner with Lulu Island (Richmond). Since arriving in Ladner in 1936, George actively looked for and found a solution to the slow inadequate crossing of the Ladner Ferry. His answer was found by reading an article about the Maas River Tunnel in Holland, the first sunken tube tunnel in the world. He contacted the Danish Engineering Company responsible for the Massey Tunnel resulting in a company engineer being sent to Delta to do a feasibility study. With a positive response, George actively championed his innovative idea of a Fraser River tunnel to all levels of government. The successful result was the Deas Island Tunnel built 1956 to 1959. The tunnel was renamed the George Massey Tunnel in 1967.
Preserving the name, would demonstrate respect to George Massey, a local Delta resident who was the person most responsible for the building of the tunnel through his ambitious innovative public service.
Preserving the name would demonstrate respect to and serve the community of Delta by honouring the history of this land and its people.
It is important that Delta honours those like George Massey who came before us to contribute and succeed in service to the community, by naming appropriate Delta sites in their memory.
Carol Vignale
