Clint Mahlman says congestion is getting worse, and doesn't think things will change when a new tunnel is built

CEO of London Drugs says moving headquarters is still an option since plans to replace the Massey Tunnel have changed

RICHMOND (NEWS 1130) – Richmond’s days as the homebase of one of B.C.’s largest retail chains could still be numbered since plans to replace the Massey Tunnel have changed.

Clint Mahlman, President and CEO of London Drugs, says the company doesn’t want to leave, but is considering a move. He says traffic around the head office and distribution centre is getting worse, and the possible eight-lane tunnel replacement won’t improve the situation.

The major B.C. employer’s head office and distribution centres are located only a few blocks away from the tunnel’s entrance, south of Steveston Highway near No. 5 road. Last December, the company’s president said it may be forced to move because of customers’ and employees’ frustrations by the lack of action to reduce congestion.

.@LondonDrugs CEO says search continues for new homebase, even though plans to replace #MasseyTunnel have changed and #RichmondBC continues to suffer from growing truck traffic. @clintmahlman says the goal is still to stay in the greater #Vancouver area. @NEWS1130 — Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) October 18, 2019

Now Mahlman is not convinced traffic will get any better if a new eight-lane tunnel is built.

“Since the minister cancelled the project, governments have approved a massive new Amazon warehouse that will add commercial traffic, and also, are going through a consultation process in the expansion of the container port, despite knowing the tunnel issue won’t be dealt with for years to come,” he says.

“Truck traffic can’t take transit and will only serve to accelerate the problem.”

Mahlman tells @NEWS1130 daily commute for 4/10 workers at the distribution centre and head office is only getting worse and moving will be expensive, but alternative sites are being considered and the preference is to stay in #RichmondBC. — Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) October 18, 2019

He says he has to consider how much stress the daily commute is putting on employees, as a large portion of 700 employees who work at the distribution centre and head office commute through Massey.

“Approximately 40 per cent of those would have some form of commuting that goes through the tunnel on any given day and, of course, that doesn’t account for other employees that are commuting caught up in the delays.”

While he says he hopes the company would stay in the Vancouver area, he’s not impressed with current plans for the crossing.

“So, we continue to try, where we can to work with local governments for short-term ideas, but remain disappointed and a little bit confused at their solutions per volume for the future.”