Editor:
I am writing in response to Hal Lindhagen’s letter titled “Building a bridge is the sustainable solution,” particularly his final statement that the disadvantages “seem conspicuously absent.” I would suggest they have been conspicuously ignored!
Just off the top of my head, I can think of several disadvantages to building a bridge that would connect us to the Lower Mainland:
- The loss of habitat and natural places for our wildlife, and us, that would occur when our population and development explodes;
- loss of our small town culture, which is what many of us value more than convenience;
- the strain on our infrastructure which is already stretched to the limit for a good six months of the year or more;
- the increase in carbon emissions due to increased vehicle trips to and from the Coast because of the “convenience” of a bridge. And just a note, if our ferries are repurposed to provide more access to Vancouver Island then there would not be any reduction in ferry emissions at all.
- the environmental impact and ecosystem disruption or destruction that would occur when building a bridge over our beautiful Salish Sea. I do not see how this would not have a negative impact.
I have spent almost my whole life either visiting or living here on the Sunshine Coast. We moved here permanently 33 years ago because it was a beautiful place to raise our children where we weren’t surrounded by asphalt and concrete. Over the years, I have learned so much about the natural world and to really appreciate and value it! Building a bridge would destroy everything that makes this place special!
Becky Wayte
Halfmoon Bay
