Dear Editor,
Nobody would fault Marine Atlantic for taking a “safety first” approach to the recent ferry cancellations across the Gulf. It’s not worth risking life and limb in the interest of time.
It does, however, point to the desperate need for a reliable and consistent road transportation system to and from the province.
The Straits tunnel - “Strunnel” - as I call it, is the only reliable solution to fix the problem once and for all.
It doesn’t matter how much money is thrown at Marine Atlantic to try to resolve the myriad of issues that the company faces, the fact is that it is still a ferry.
However you cut it, it will never provide the level of service that the province needs.
We are a rapidly growing economy, thriving on the oil industry and tourism.
How much lost tourism business have we suffered as a result of travellers not prepared to cross the Gulf, due to delays, cost, level of service, etc? We hear or read about the stories almost daily.
By combining a transportation tunnel together with the ability to carry hydropower, it could justify the megaproject over time.
A private-public partnership with all the key players could make it cost effective. It would certainly make a great election issue.
On CBC recently I was interested to hear that Olivia Chow was here to consider transportation issues affecting this province.
This could be just the time to bring the issue to the forefront and I will forward a copy of this to Ms. Chow.
In the 21st century, we need a transportation system, full time, on time and all the time.
Perhaps this is the time?
Dave Rudofsky
St. John’s
