To the Editor,
Re: Moving Gabriola ferry offers opportunities, Letters, Feb. 23.
A recent letter writer suggested moving the Gabriola Island ferry terminal from the downtown location to the Duke Point ferry terminal.
I agree this would free up valuable property on the Nanaimo waterfront for other uses and would be a shorter run for the Gabriola ferry.
A better plan, I believe, would be to connect Gabriola to Nanaimo with two short bridges via Mudge Island. The amount the B.C. government currently subsidizes the run would pay for the cost of the bridges over a few years.
In addition to 24-hour access for medical emergencies, the bridges would provide a route for a waterline. Harmac is one possible supplier of water to the residents of Gabriola Island.
Perhaps the excess revenues from a toll bridge could be passed on for community projects on Gabriola or another plan could be to exempt Gabriola residents from paying any toll at all.
Overall the benefits to Gabriola and to the taxpayers of B.C. would be enormous.
James Newman
Nanaimo
