Dear Editor,
Whatever happened to accountability of my MLA who also acted as the provincial minister of transportation before taking over the environmental portfolio.
What happened to the 216th Street overpass project?
Seven years ago, we sold our house. The principle reason for selling was the plan to build an overpass on 216th Street, immediately behind our property.
This plan, which seemed ill-fated from the get-go, had a direct impact on the value on our house. It backed on to ALR land, and because 216th was interrupted by Highway One, it was a dead-end with virtually no traffic.
Accordingly, the house was in a very quiet neighbourhood with a pristine view of Mount Baker and the rest of God’s creation.
It truly was an ideal location, typifying country living within Langley Township.
Naturally, rumours abound within the real estate market, so I investigated. I found from several sources that the overpass was not a rumour, but a reality, albeit a virtual one.
I had a personal conversation with Mary Polak, my MLA for the Langley riding. She confirmed that it was a fully endorsed plan, and that completion was to take place “no later than 2013.â€
Well, obviously, that year has been and gone.
Not only has the overpass not been completed, it has not even been started.
What happened to the 216th overpass plan?
I have, in a dedicated folder, copies of emails to Mary Polak. I placed a call to her office and spoke with her secretary, who acknowledged receiving my first email and said that Ms Polak was looking into the matter. She “hoped to get back†to me with the next few days.
While I continue to await her response, it remains a mystery why it should take so long to respond to this simple question, particularly when, during that period, Ms Polak was the B.C. Minister of Transportation.
A couple of weeks ago, I was referred to the Ministry of Transportation. After a few calls, I was told that the plan was stalled. It was not abandoned and it could be a reality in the next few years.
This, however, offered little to explain Ms Polak’s advice that the original plan was a done deal, or at least, would be by 2013.
Doubtless, if this were election year, I would have received at least an acknowledgment of my inquiry by Ms Polak. Perhaps, even personally.
I trust her environmental portfolio fares better than transportation.
Gordon Mathison, Langley